|
|
25 October 2009
Saif Al Swaidi, Director-General of the General Civil Aviation Authority, told Khaleej Times that the ban was a preventive measure until investigations into the cause of Wednesday’s crash were completed.
Aviation sources in the Emirates told Khaleej Times that the Sudanese cargo plane may have had a flap problem.
Al Swaidi said that the authority had sent the plane’s black box, an engine and flight data recorder to the UK to see if the crash was caused by mechanical failure, human error or by sub-standard aircraft maintenance.
“The ban is a normal procedure carried out to ensure that the aircraft of the company involved in the incident are in good condition. Our concern is not to gain profit but to preserve the lives of people. We are concerned about the safety of the people,” Al Swaidi said.
He said the overall maintenance of aircraft is the full responsibility of the company which registered them.
Earlier, two representatives from the Sudan Civil Aviation arrived late Thursday in UAE to be part in the investigation committee, which was set up by the UAE authority.
Meantime, the Sharjah Forensic Authority said that all the DNA tests had been conducted immediately after family members of the six crash victims arrived in the UAE.
A total of 28 DNA samples were taken from each and DNA tests were done in 45 minutes. All of the bodies were tagged for identification.
Sudan Consul-General in Dubai, Issam Nanutwali, said that all the DNA tests were conducted and the bodies would be turned over to families by today after completion of all legal and administrative procedures.
Issam said that the families could choose where to bury the bodies, either in UAE or in Sudan.
The five members of the families include Dr. Heider, son of Capt. Mohammed Ali, the pilot of the cargo aircraft that crashed. He went directly to the Sharjah Forensic Authority for DNA test upon arrival and the test was conducted on the same day.
Aviation sources said the surveillance camera at the Sharjah International Airport showed that Boeing 707 climbed normally until it flew out of view. Video showed a large part falling from the airplane.
They said that aircraft’s first flight was in May, 1968. But whether the aircraft is new or old did not matter as long as it was maintained properly.
Ahmad Gasim Alsid, deputy director of Azza Transport, said that a private aircraft was being prepared to carry the families and the bodies back to Sudan at the expense of Azza Transport.
