Air Bagan Crash

[laobali]

All reports now emphasize the fact there was fog at Heho, probably not uncommon after low overnight temperatures at this time of the year. Apart from direct comms with the tower, the pilots would (should) have had a weather briefing before taking off from Mandalay, only 100 miles north and a very short flight in a jet.

But if it was known there was fog around or over the runway, they should have considered delaying the flight until it lifted, but that would affect the aircraft's schedule for the whole day. It's always a toss-up now between the airline trying to make a profit and operational safety considerations. No doubt the company will do its best to blame the crash on technical failure, followed by pilot error (most likely in my opinion),

However, it's often undue pressure on the flight crew to get the passengers to their destination on time, using as little fuel as possible and not incurring extra cost caused by delays. Sometimes they make decisions based on keeping their jobs rather than sticking to the ops manual and regulations regarding bad weather including thunderstorms, heavy rain and fog.

Is it known whether they made a straight-in visual approach (the only type possible for that airport) and try and land on R/W 18? That would make the flight even shorter.

[laobali]

Is this what, due to fog, they mistook for runway 36 which is further ahead to port? Just speculating.

http://go2c.me/roadlanding.jpg

[SeaVisionBurma]

Further news article here has a video of the MRTV report on the crash with photos.

http://www.watoday.com.au/world/australians-survive-burma-plane-crash-20121226-2bvo8.html

[ignis]

Further news article here has a video of the MRTV report on the crash with photos.

http://www.watoday.c...1226-2bvo8.html

Yep sounds more like it, as 1st reports were all "Because of the emergency landing near the airport, the plane broke up in the middle," + Burst into flames + No injuries, sounded remarkable

Edited December 26, 2012 by ignis

[DagonKhan]

The New Light of Myanmar is reporting that it hit a power line.

Two died, nine injured in Heho plane accident

Nay Pyi Taw, 25 Dec- An accident happened to Air Bagan’s Fokker-F 100 Flight No.XY-AGC carrying six crew members, 48 foreign passengers and 17 local passengers, totaling 71, that left Mandalay International Airport for Heho at about 8.28 am this morning while making landing at Heho airport from south to north, at about 8.51 am today.

The plane hit Kalaw- Aungthabye 66 KVA power grid that link from east to west about one mile from Heho airport runway and trees on Taunggyi-Meiktila roadside and then hit the ground as mist covered the runway.

The crews had opened emergency doors when the plane touched the ground. And passengers could be taken out of the damaged flight. About two minutes after it crashed landed, the plane caught fire. The accident killed passenger Ma Nwe Lin Shein daughter of U Tun Shein of Yaksawk and U Pya of Konemoe village was killed, and the motor cycle was damaged while the plane made crash landing.

Two from US, one France, one China (Taipei), two pilots, two tour guides and one motor cycle rider, totaling nine were sent to Sao San Tun Hospital in Taunggyi for treatment.

The Union Minister for Transport, the Union Minister for Hotels and Tourism, the Shan State Chief Minister and officials concerned inspected the accident and comforted nine injured passengers at Sao San Tun Hospital in Taunggyi. US citizen Mr Lokos Allan and wife who got injured were sent to Bangkok via Heho by the flight of Air Bagan.

As opposed to the debacle that we saw earlier in the year with the Air KBZ crash at Thandwe, where passengers were left milling around at the airport whilst the crew were whisked away to a hotel, it does appear that the survivors of this crash are getting looked after very well. Word has it that both Air Bagan and the Government are doing everything they can to help them.

Edited December 26, 2012 by DagonKhan

[SeaVisionBurma]

Thanks DK - please keep us updated from there with any news you get.

Whatever the cause - still seems a minor miracle that there are so few fatalities in this accident.

SVB

[DagonKhan]

Thanks DK - please keep us updated from there with any news you get.

There is some news in Burmese on Air Bagan's FB page.

In summary; it talks about the 2 American passengers who were flown direct from Heho to Bangkok by Bagan Airways. It talks about the injured and mentions that one of them has now left the hospital and is resting at a Hotel. Air Bagan will be taking full responsibility for passengers welfare and will be picking up the tab. They go on to say that they are working with diplomats and government officials to get replacement passports, make travel arrangements etc.

It also says that they have found the 'black box' and that it will be sent to Singapore for analysis so they can find out what happened. Speculation is rife here at the moment as to what actually happened.

There will be a press conference at 4:30pm this afternoon in the ballroom at the Kandawgyi Palace Hotel.

[ALFREDO]

[

A little surprised on how a motorcyclist didn't see/hear a 30 ton aircraft in time to avoid it. Rest in peace to him and the child on board.

I suppose if the road is near the runway the sound of a plane coming in is not unusual but wouldn't be expecting it to land on the road. If it did become clear that there was a problem I doubt there was time to do anything about it.

So, it seems, it is a positive habit from me, to like plane spotting, since childhood and as soon as I hear a plane I look at it.

In the sky and for sure also and more at an airport-special such a less frequently used airport, looking the starting and landing planes.

But not sure, if the Motorbike could have outrun the planes (unknown exactly) impact space.

Same -NOBELCAT- wrote

"I doubt the airplane just landed on top of this person on a bike (though always possible). I think it's much more likely the case that someone pulled over to the side of the road. Then the airplane landed and split into pieces. If it was foggy, it's not like you're going to know that the airplane has crashes and the wings and everything are heading towards you. If I saw an airplane land on a street, I'd assume the wings wouldn't be likely to clip me (maybe I'm stupid like that). But when it breaks in half, all hell breaks loose. You wouldn't have needed to be on the road to have died because of this crash."

Edited December 26, 2012 by ALFREDO

[SeaVisionBurma]

Can we please stay on topic. This is a serious thread for information regarding the Air Bagan crash.

Thank you.

Sent from my ALCATEL_one_touch_918D

[sabaijai]

Air Bagan crash in Shan State due to pilot error, says inquiry

http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/8843-air-bagan-crash-in-shan-state-due-to-pilot-error-says-inquiry.html