Bhoja plane crash merely an accident: report

ISLAMABAD: The initial investigation report regarding the Bhoja plane crash has been submitted to the national assembly’s standing committee for defence, Geo News reported.

According to the report, the plane was grounded last year after being in use for 26 years, while this incident apparently appears to be merely an accident.

In a meeting of the NA standing committee for defence held with the MNA Azra Fazal in chair, the inquiry committee chief, Mujahid Islam submitting the initial report said that the ill-fated plane was made in 1985, South Africa bought it from Britain in 1999 and it was grounded in 2011.

Thereon Bhoja Airline acquired it on lease in the current year and had made 60 hours of flights for the company. Shortly before the disaster, the plane was last seen on the radar six miles away from the airport.

The initial report on the plane’s cockpit voice recorder and black box is expected from Washington on May 7. The representatives of the concerned insurance company of the plane have been called here.

Mujahid Islam said that according to his past experience the Bhoja crash was an accident, despite that the reasons for the disaster would have to be dug out—blaming weather only was not correct, as other planes were landing in the same weather conditions.

Member Committee, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi demanding wrapping up of the FIR relating to plane crash said that it was mere an accident. FIA investigations should also be put on hold.

The Committee has called for the airworthiness certificate of the plane and the details of the pilot experience. The Committee recommending the deletion of section 302 from the FIR directed for earliest completion of the inquiry.

http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=47091

Any one knows the details?

My hunch now is that it will end up being declared as a pilot error.

Apparently the main point in that report is recommended removal of Section 302 (premeditated murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) from First Information Report (FIR) of the accident lodged with the police.

Bhoja Air Boeing 737 crash is considered an accident not a premeditated murder of passengers/crew.

Section 302 could have created problems for Bhoja Air owners/management/staff.

Abbas

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This was an over reaction, typical in Pakistan. All the issues with airlines operations and probable causes of this crash, notwithstanding, this is an accident which should be treated as such.
We as a society go for the extremes. Never are the bus and minivan drivers who are involved in horrendous accidents booked under 302. Few years back in Karachi a police sergeant was over ran by an oil tanker. The whole truck association went on a crippling strike because the driver was booked under 302 and the govt had to withdraw the 302 charge.

According to reports in May 3 newspapers, Bhoja Air crash investigation team head Group Captain (Retd) Mujahid-ul-Islam on May 2 told National Assembly’s Standing Committee for Defence that:

* ground radar had warned the pilot of the ill-fated Boeing 737 about the severity of the weather and advised him to change the route when the aircraft suddenly vanished from radar screen.

What does "change the route" mean here? Abandon landing approach? Apparently the Boeing 737 was on short finals to Runway 30 with landing gear in down position when it hit the ground.

Abbas

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I do not know what it will end up being declared as but a good number of plane crashes (majority I would say) across the world are directly or indirectly pilot errors.

In this case, no calls were made mentioning any mechanical malfunction but if we are to believe some reports the pilot said "I have lost control". We cannot be sure at this point but weather could be a factor contributing to this incident causing sudden lost of lift at a very low altitude (for instance a microburst).

If so, then the question arises of whether a warning was issued or not by ATC and what did the pilot make of it? What was the severity of the warning? What about his on-board weather radar system? what did he make of that information? Ultimately, the responsibility of the decision lies with the captain.

For this reason, I had suggested in the AirBlue crash thread of the need of investigating the ATC's role. CAA and MoD could be prejudiced in such an investigation under pressure from PAF. Even if no blames are to be made, a revision/proper implementation of procedures could help avoid any future incidents.

It could be wishful thinking on my part though.

P.S. The part relating to Section 302 and FIR, I thought the FIR was to investigate any possible terrorist attack (e.g. missile fired, hijacking, etc) rather than willful, premeditated murder by the crew.

According to a local newspaper report, Bhoja Air crash investigation team led by Group Captain (Retd) Mujahid-ul-Islam is going to USA today where crashed Boeing 737's Flight Data Recorder (FDR) AND Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) will be decoded.

Abbas

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CAA had issued certificate of airworthiness to Bhoja Air Boeing 737-200 Adv (AP-BKC) on February 19, 2012, and it was valid till February 26, 2013.

Source: DAWN (May 8, 2012)

Abbas

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Judging by the quality of Airblue crash report, I dont expect somthig different from Gp Capt Mujahid and his team, anyhow an trip to US is always a bonus.

Tailwind,

The airblue investigation was done by another person.

Guru...aplogies for the error. For Gp Capt Mujahid.....read CAA investigation board.

Bhoja Air CVR Decoded

MAY 16 - According to Dunya News channel, Bhoja Air Boeing 737-200 Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) has been decoded in USA and has provided crucial information related to pilots communication and helped in establishing appropriate parameters within which the investigation will be conducted.

Abbas

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I hope they also publish recordings of Islamabad approach radar and tower this time

According to local newspaper reports, a team of Boeing Company is expected to arrive in Pakistan in coming days to assist Bhoja Air crash investigation team.

Head of Investigation Team Mujahidul Islam is hoping to prepare investigation report by middle of July.



Abbas

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