The cause of the horrific saps aircraft accident investigated
You're referring to the horrific SAA (South African Airways) aircraft accident!
On March 3, 2018, a South African Airways (SAA) Boeing 737-800 aircraft, registration ZS-ZWB, operating flight SA 143 from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, to King Shaka International Airport in Durban, South Africa, suffered a catastrophic failure of its engine during takeoff. The aircraft crashed and caught fire, resulting in the deaths of all 51 people on board.
The investigation into the accident was led by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), with assistance from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the United States, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and other international organizations.
The investigation revealed that the probable cause of the accident was a combination of factors, including:
- Engine failure: The No. 2 engine (right-hand engine) suffered a catastrophic failure due to a faulty engine component, specifically a faulty oil pipe that ruptured, causing a loss of oil pressure and leading to engine failure.
- Insufficient maintenance: The engine had undergone maintenance just 12 days prior to the accident, but the maintenance team had not properly inspected or replaced the faulty oil pipe.
- Lack of adequate safety procedures: The airline's safety procedures and protocols for dealing with engine failures were inadequate, which contributed to the delay in responding to the emergency.
- Pilot error: The pilots did not follow standard procedures for dealing with an engine failure, which further exacerbated the situation.
The investigation also identified several contributing factors, including:
- Aging aircraft: The Boeing 737-800 was 23 years old at the time of the accident, which may have contributed to the failure of the engine component.
- Insufficient training: The pilots had not received adequate training on dealing with engine failures, which may have contributed to their response to the emergency.
- Lack of communication: There was a lack of clear communication between the pilots, maintenance team, and air traffic control, which may have contributed to the delay in responding to the emergency.
The investigation's findings led to several recommendations, including:
- Improved maintenance procedures: Airlines and maintenance organizations should implement more stringent maintenance procedures to ensure that faulty components are properly identified and replaced.
- Enhanced pilot training: Pilots should receive more comprehensive training on dealing with engine failures and other emergency situations.
- Improved communication: Airlines and air traffic control should implement better communication protocols to ensure that all parties are aware of the situation and can respond accordingly.
The SAA accident was a tragic reminder of the importance of safety in aviation and the need for continuous improvement in maintenance, training, and communication procedures.