Committee to investigate Starbow Airline crash inaugurated

The aircraft on the tarmac
The aircraft on the tarmac

Mrs Joyce Bawa Mogtari, Deputy Minister of Transport, on Friday inaugurated a five-member committee to investigate the cause of the October 5 Starbow Airline accident at the Tamale Airport.

She said the setting up of the committee was in line with Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Regulations, as well as the Ghana Civil Aviation Act 678 of 2004, which mandates the Transport Ministry to set up a committee with the purpose of investigating aircraft accidents.

Speaking during the inauguration, she urged the committee members to carry out the assignment with the required zeal and commitment and come out with an acceptable and workable report.

Mrs  Mogtari said the committee was made up of experts within the Aviation Industry,  with the requisite experience and expertise in areas such as aircraft operations, airworthiness, aerodromes, and aircraft control, among others.

The terms of reference for the committee include establishing the probable cause(s) of the accident, determining the extent of fatalities and injuries if any, establishing the extent of loses or damage to property, make recommendations to forestall any future occurrences as well as come out with a preliminary report within 30 working days.

She said the committee was also permitted to co-opt any other persons or experts as they deemed fit to assist in their investigations.

She pledged the readiness of the Ministry to make available the necessary resources to ensure that the work of the Committee was done in a timely and effective manner.

Mr Simon Allotey, Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), noted that Ghana’s airspace was safe as it had been cited by the ICAO as one for the countries which rigorously implemented its eight guidelines for Africa’s Aviation sector.

“Ghana’s airspace is also safe because we do not record many accidents, as compared with other countries,” he added.

Air Commodore Kwame Mumphey, Chairman of the Committee, urged Ghanaians not to lose hope in the Aviation sector, and continue to patronize the Airlines operating in the country.

He pledged the readiness of the Committee to work and abide by its terms of reference.

Other members of the Committee are Mr Emmanuel Quao, Wing Commodore Mike Ayesu, Mr Kenneth Kwawukume, and Group Capt. Adu Gyamfi, whilst Mr Ellis Hugh-Tamakloe is serving as the Coordinator.

On October 6, a Starbow Flight S9110 which was en route from Accra to Tamale was involved in an accident at the Tamale Airport.

The aircraft went through the barricade at the end of  the Tamale runway and stopped.

Source: GNA

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