FlyDubai crash: UAE investigators to work closely on site

A flight recorder from the crashed "Flydubai", is seen in Moscow, Russia, in this handout image released by the Russia's Interstate Aviation Committee on March 20. Picture by Reuters

UAE investigators have reached Moscow to take part in the investigations into the fatal crash of the flydubai Boeing 737-800 aircraft that killed all 62 passengers aboard. "Investigation team of the UAE, led by the accredited representative and two investigators from the Air Accident Investigation Sector (AAIS) in the General Civil Aviation Authority, have arrived at Moscow, where the UAE team leader joined the head of the Russian team in Moscow to participate in downloading the Flight Data Recorder and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) known as Black Boxes," a spokesperson of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said.
The download is scheduled to start today morning, whereas the other two members continued on their way to Rostov-on-Don airport. Once they arrived there, they will immediately join their colleagues from the Russian investigation team to participate in the data collection from the aircraft wreckage, documenting evidence from the accident site, and preserving those that could be relevant to the circumstances of the accident.
Information regarding the aircraft records, and files and documents concerning the involved crew were shared with the Russian team.
The Air Accident Investigation Sector of AAIS investigators are working to collect the rest of the documents and provide them to the UAE on timely manner.
Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director general of GCAA, said that the investigation may take time due to the amount of required information on the aircraft, crew, the operator, Rostov airport, air traffic control of Rostov airport, weather conditions, and information obtained through interviews.
This information will be integrated with the flight recorders' data, and analysed to draw conclusions including causes of the accident and, at the end, issue safety recommendations intended to prevent recurrence of similar accidents and enhance the level of aviation safety at the national and international levels, he said.
A team from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the United States will also participate in the investigation, being the investigation authority of the State of Design and Manufacture of the aircraft. Both the AAIS and NTSB will be accompanied by advisors from the operator and Boeing.
Ismaeil Al Hosani, assistant director general for Air Accident Investigation Sector at GCAA, said the IAC will issue a preliminary report within one month from the accident date, which contains information obtained during the first month and mapping the plan of the investigation.
After completing the investigation, the IAS will prepare and circulate to participating states a draft of the final report for review and comments.
haseeb@khaleejtimes.com