TEXT – Statement by Sudan-Uganda panel probing on Garang crash
April 18, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — Hereunder text of statement by the Joint Sudan-Uganda Commission investigating the executive MI 172 helicopter accident, flight AF 605:-
Following the fatal accident that occurred on 30th. July, 2005 involving the Executive Mi-172 Helicopter, which claimed the life of the First Vice President of Sudan and President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Dr. John Garang de Mabior and all the other twelve persons on board, the President of Sudan appointed the National Investigation Commission of Sudan chaired by the former Vice President, Abel Alier and the President of Uganda appointed the Commission of inquiry chaired by Hon. John M. Nasasira, Minister of Works, Housing and Communications.
The two Commissions met on the 18th. August, 2005 in Kampala, Uganda and agreed to have full co-operation in the investigation and formed a Joint Sudan-Uganda Accident Investigation Commission to establish the probable cause of the accident of flight AF 605.
The Joint Sudan-Uganda Commission investigated the circumstances under which the accident occurred and now wishes to make public the findings of the investigation on the probable cause of the accident.
History of Flight AF 605 on 30th. July, 2005 at bout 15.00 hrs local time the helicopter left Rwakitura in Western Uganda for Entebbe. Flight AF 605 departed Entebbe at about 17.02 hrs local time carrying the First Vice President of Sudan and 12 other people on board for New Site, Southern Sudan as its destination. The First Vice President had arrived at Entebbe on 29th. July, 2005 and was flown by helicopter AF 615 to Rwakitura, where he had a meeting with the President of Uganda. The purpose of the flight on 30th. July 2005 was to transport the First Vice President of the Republic of Sudan and his delegation to New Site.
The helicopter had 3 flight crew members, 1 cabin attendant and 9 passengers on board. It crashed in the Zulia mountain ranges in Uganda, 11 miles South West of New Site, the intended destination of the flight.
It was destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire killing all the 13 persons on board.
PROCESS OF INVESTIGATION.
In order to carry out investigation of the accident as provided for under international practice, a Joint International Technical Committee of experts from USA, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda was appointed by the Joint Sudan- Uganda Investigation Commission.
The Joint International Technical Committee of Experts was headed by Mr. Dennis Jones of the United States National Transportation Safety Board as the Investigator-in- Charge.
A Joint Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 19th. August, 2005 agreeing on joint utilization of the expertise available in conducting the investigations, referring the recorders to Russia for read-out and formation of special teams to perform specific tasks during the investigation.
In carrying out the investigation, the Joint International Technical Committee among other things, visited the crash site, analyzed the Flight Data Recorder/Cockpit Voice Recorder (FDR/CVR) in Uganda, Russia and the United States, interviewed key personnel of the Uganda Peoples Defense Air Force, the Civil Aviation Authority of Uganda, JSC Kazan Helicopters (the manufacturers of the helicopter) and witnesses at the crash site, and sent some components for advanced laboratory tests in the United States and visited the Russian Federation Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK).
The Joint International Technical Committee completed its work on 3rd. April, 2006.
PRESENTATION OF THE REPORT
The Joint International Technical Committee presented its report to the Joint Sudan-Uganda Investigation Commission on 4th. April, 2006.
The two countries, Sudan and Uganda were asked to receive the report of the Joint International Technical Committee and make comments, if any.
Sudan agreed and endorsed the report with no comments.
On its part, Uganda generally agreed with the contents of the report but made comments on some sections of the report.
The comments by Uganda and the endorsement with no comments by the Sudan have been attached to the report as Addenda.
The Report is hereby endorsed and adopted by the Joint Sudan-Uganda Investigation Commission.
PROBABLE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT
The mandate of the Joint Sudan-Uganda Commission was to establish the probable cause of the accident.
The findings attributed the cause of the accident to a combination of the following:
– The Captain’s failure to maintain horizontal and vertical situational awareness of the helicopter’s proximity to the surrounding terrain, resulting in inadequate clearance and controlled flight into terrain;
– The Captain’s decision to continue visual flight into deteriorating weather conditions; and
– Inadequacies in operational systems.
The principal objective of carrying out aircraft accident investigation is to establish the probable cause of the accident and institute measures for preventing similar occurrences in future.
This Report shall be given similar treatment.
With the adoption of this Report and its Addenda and the signing of this joint statement the joint Sudan-Uganda Commission has concluded its work.
The National Investigation Commission of Sudan and the Uganda Commission of Inquiry will present their reports to the Heads of State of Sudan and Uganda respectively.
Signed at KAMPALA this 12th. Day of April 2006.”
– H.E. Abel Alier Kuai Cairman, Sudan National Investigation Commission. THE REPUBLIC OF SUDAN Hon.
– John M. Nasasira Chairman, Commission of Inquiry and Minister of Works, Housing and Communications. THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA
(ST)