Monday, November 27, 2006 Accident, lack of fees failed to dampen pilot’s enthusiasm
BRITISH national Roy Bruce’s dizzying stunts would have been one of the attractions in next year’s Sinulog, as some Cebu City Government officials were planning to invite him to fly.
If he had any worries about his “baby”—an Extra 300-L single-engine, two-seater plane—the aerobatics pilot showed no signs of it. He was even looking forward to a Christmas party with fellow pilots, having missed last year’s bash.
Investigators have yet to confirm what caused the plane to crash some 100 meters off the South Road Properties (SRP) past 5 p.m. Saturday, killing Bruce and Filipino aircraft mechanic Romy Otilla.
The plane’s tail was fished out yesterday, but the craft’s body remained underwater.
Bruce made a living in furniture exports, but it was flying that qualified as his passion.
He never charged for the aerobatic shows he did, including a stint flying over a drag race at the SRP, said Cebu City Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem.
Jakosalem recalled that just last Thursday, Bruce asked him when the Philippine Flight Simmers Group Christmas party would be held, because he missed it last year. He also invited the councilor to dinner next weekend.
One of a kind
Air Transportation Office Chief Nilo Jatico has already ordered an investigation on the accident.
Since he started flying in 1999—he later acquired his aerobatics license in Florida—Bruce was hooked.
“That Extra 300-L was his baby. That was the only one of its kind in the Philippines,” Jakosalem said.
He recalled that about three or four years ago, Bruce had figured in a minor accident with the same plane, when it hit some tall grasses and flipped as it was about to land.
Bruce had spent about $100,000 for the repairs then, the councilor said.
Jakosalem said the City Government was planning to invite Bruce to perform in next year’s Sinulog. His death stunned the community of flying enthusiasts, who in an online forum expressed their condolences, reminded everyone to be careful, and posted messages for Bruce and Otilla to “fly high.”
Bruce is survived by his wife Lisa, a son and three daughters. His wake is at the Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City. (JST)
