Crashed BDF aircraft was not authorised to fly

Oarabile Mosikare | Friday April 7, 2017 18:15

 

Although the army does not want to discuss the matter, Mmegi understands that on that fateful day, nothing was signed at Thebephatswa Air Base on February 9, 2017 to authorise the plane to fly to Gaborone. Mmegi has it on good authority that the air controller at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport was not expecting them.

The aircraft was scheduled to transport vice president Mokgweetsi Masisi to Tsabong for the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) National Youth League congress. 

The deceased are Captain Lebogang Dinyao from Serowe, Captain Rinick Makobo from Tshidilamolomo and Corporal Dintle Dichaba from Shashe Bridge near Tonota.

The aircraft, which crashed in the general area shortly after taking off, was found by a pilot after receiving news that the CASA 212, although it was not authorised to fly, was nowhere to be seen at the Thebephatswa Air Base.

In response to Mmegi inquiries last week Colonel Teko Dikole said that investigations regarding the cause of the accident are still ongoing.

“Aircraft crash investigations are elaborate and extensive, thus take time. The Accident Investigation Team and the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) of the CASA 212 from Spain are still to conclude their investigations.

Therefore, it will be amiss for anyone to speculate on the cause of the accident without analysis of conclusive factual information and its determination of probable cause,” Dikole said refusing to be engaged on whether the aircraft had mechanical faults or not.

It is common cause that aircraft crash investigation reports in Botswana are kept secret.