Ghana sets up committee to investigate cargo plane crash

Alhaji Collins Dauda, Minister of Transportation, has inaugurated a five-member Aircraft Accident Investigation Committee to look into circumstances leading to the crash of the Allied Air Boeing 728-200 Cargo Aircraft on Saturday night.

The committee, established in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation requirements and the Ghana Civil Aviation Act 678 of 2004, would be headed by Captain Alec Grant Sam, who was one of the first Ghanaian pilots to be trained.

The other members includes Mr Ben Bouto-former Director of Safety Regulation of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Mr Ben Sakpaku-former Deputy Director, Safety Regulation, Mr Eric Ewusi of the Safety Regulation Department and Mr Kenneth Kofi Kwawukume-former Deputy Director, Air Traffic Services.

Alhaji Dauda said although it was difficult to give the committee a timeline within which to work due to the extent of damage to the aircraft, it was necessary for members to provide information to the public on the cause of the accident in order to allay their fears.

He has therefore given the committee 30 days to conclude their investigations and submit a final report to government or to give an interim report on the matter.

The committee is expected to establish the cause of the accident, determine the extent of fatalities and injuries, losses or damage to property as well as other relevant issues concerning the incident and to make recommendations to forestall future occurrences.

Captain Sam who started flying from 1958 to 1992 was the former Managing Director (MD) of Ghana Airways and has carried out seven investigations involving aircrafts among other experiences and he is expected to bring these experiences to bear on the investigation.

Mrs Doreen Owusu Fianko, Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited, noted that an Emergency Operational Centre was activated immediately after the crash and had been working hard since then.

She noted that the crew of the aircraft, who are currently on admission at the Airport Clinic, were responding to treatment.

Information gathered by the Ghana News Agency reveal that the crew were Nigerians. The Captain of the Crew explained that the crash occurred after a technical problem involving the brakes on the aircraft.

He said he was sorry about the casualties involved in the accident.

Meanwhile the road between the Elwak Traffic light and Burma Camp Shell filling Station would remain closed until further notice, according to the committee.

Source: GNA