Partager la citation sur facebook
[At the NTSB hearing]
Block: Mr. Whittaker, I want to talk about the days leading and the hours leading up to the accident, but before I do, I want to remind you that you are under oath and that any testimony you give here today will be considered admissable in any subsequent hearings or criminal proceedings. Do you understand what that means?
[Whip nods] Captain Whittaker, for the record I need you to verbalize your answer.
Whip: Uh, I'm sorry. Yes, I understand.
Block: On the days leading up to the accident, Tuesday, October 11, Wednesday, October 12, or Thursday, October 13, did you consume any alcohol or any other intoxicating elements?
Whip: No, I did not.
Block: On the morning of the accident, Friday, October 14, did you consume any alcohol, or ingest any chemicals or drugs that may have impaired your ability to perform your job?
Whip: No.
Block: Mr. Whittaker, do you now, or have you ever had a problem with alcohol dependency, alcoholism, or drug addiction?
Whip: No, I have not.
Block: Okay, Mr. Whittaker, we're about done. Due to the severe turbulence in the early part of the flight, you asked the flight crew to suspend the beverage service on the plane, is that correct?
Whip: Yes, that's correct, I suspended the drink service on the plane.
Block: Are you aware that our investigators found two single service vodka bottles in the galley trashbin?
Whip: Yes, I'm aware of that.
Block: There were five crewmembers onboard that would have had access to the beverage trolley. Less than an hour after the accident, blood was taken from each of these crewmembers, yourself, First Officer Evans, Flight Attendant Margaret Thomason, and posthumously, from Camelia Satou, and Katerina Marquez. Toxicology analysis was performed, and three of these tests came back negative, one was disqualified for technical reasons, and one tested positive for alcohol, it registered .17 blood alcohol level. Are you aware of that?
Whip: Yeah, I'm aware of it now.
Block: Ms. Marquez was not only a colleague, but you knew her outside of work, is that correct?
Whip: Outside of work, no, not really.
Block: Did you know Ms. Marquez had a drinking problem?
Whip: No, I did not.
Block: Did you ever see her drink to excess?
Whip: No, I did not.
Block: Were you aware that she was twice treated for alcohol addiction, the last time was sixteen months ago and paid for by SouthJet Airlines?
Whip: No, I did not.
Block: Is it your opinion that Katerina Marquez drank on that flight?
Whip: Could you repeat the question?
Block: Is it your opinion that Katerina Marquez drank on that flight?
Whip: I'm sorry, my what?
Block: Your opinion, Captain. Since her toxicology report is the only toxicology report is the only report that is admissable in this hearing, and she in fact tested positive for alcohol, is it your opinion that Katerina Marquez drank the two bottles of vodka on the plane?
Whip:
[exhales] God help me.
Block: I'm sorry, Mr. Whittaker, I couldn't hear you. What did you say?
Whip: I said, "God help me."
Block: Yes, well, however, is it your opinion...
Whip: It's my opinion Trina did not drink that vodka.
Block: Excuse me, Mr. Whittaker?
Whip: She saved a boy's life.
Block: Could you speak louder, Mr. Whittaker?
Whip: Trina did not drink the vodka... because I drank the vodka.