Plane crash report ‘by early March’

THE investigation team tasked with establishing what caused the crash of the Manx2 passenger plane at Cork Airport two weeks ago say they are confident they will be able to complete a preliminary report into the accident by the second week in March.

Jurgen Whyte, chief inspector of air accidents with the Air Accident Investigation Unit, said his team had been working for two weeks “day and night” on the wreckage of the Fairchild Metroliner which crashed in thick fog during its third landing attempt on February 10.

Initial investigations by AAIU gave them the impression that the aircraft was operating normally until it hit the ground. The aircraft wing tip hit the runway, tossing it onto its roof before it slid along the runway for 190 metres before coming to rest on the grass alongside the airport’s main runway. The aircraft’s fuel tank on its right engine ruptured, spilling fuel onto the hot engine causing a fire.

While emergency services were on scene within a few minutes, six of the 12 passengers were killed. Of the six survivors all but one have been released from hospital, with the last expected to be discharged in the coming days.

Jurgen Whyte said his team had spent the last two weeks gathering information, not just from the wreckage but also from international sources.

“Because of the international dimension of this investigation — it was a Spanish operator — we are gathering information from the USA, Spain and the UK. When we complete that process we then start working through it,” he said. “It is our intention to issue a preliminary report on the basic facts of the event around March 11-13.”

The slow process of decoding the aircraft’s flight recorders is ongoing.

Meanwhile, a firm of British aviation law experts has called for patience to allow the investigators complete their jobs. Irwin Mitchell said disputes over issues such as compensation should be put aside until official answers are put forward by investigators.

“Within a week of the accident there were media reports covering demands made to Manx2 in relation to compensation,” he said. “Manx2 have reportedly been contacted regarding liability and insurance in relation to the crash, with the firm’s legal team suggesting the issue is the responsibility of Spain-based carrier Flightline BCN.”

Jose Maria de Lorenzo, a partner in Irwin Mitchell’s Spanish office in Madrid said Flightline BCN, should have insurance in accordance with the European Air Operators Certificate.

“So it goes without saying that BCN and/ or Manx2 insurers will have a duty to compensate the families of those involved in this terrible incident.”