Ministry institutes measures to forestall recurrence of aviation incidents

By Belinda Ayamgha, GNA

Accra, March 5, GNA – The Ministry of Aviation has announced measures to maintain air transport safety and forestall any recurrences of incidents of air transport accidents.

The measures outlined includes the reviewing of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and responses of all first responders of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), which manages Ghana’s airports.

Management of Air Traffic Control at the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) - the Regulator and Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS) providers - are also to ensure that all staff are familiar with the requirements of the accident and incident procedures contained in the existing SOPs.

The GCAA will also establish a standing preliminary investigation team with approved procedures, which will include the power to request medical and toxicology tests.

A statement signed by Ms Madeleine Insaidoo, Public Relations Manager of the Ministry and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, on Monday, said the measures follows the release of preliminary findings of the Committee which investigated the cause of the Starbow incident at the Kotoka International Airport on November 25, 2017.

The statement said the incident was due to a loss of situational awareness on the part of the cockpit crew, leading to a runway excursion as well as failure on the part of the crew to execute the correct procedures in aborting the take-off.

The Ministry directed Starbow Management, to review its operational control, and ensure that it engages adequate qualified operational personnel. The airline is also to re-train its crew to include Crew Resource Management and also on aborted take-off procedures.

“Starbow should ensure that the Airworthiness Directive No. 2016-0256 is effected on all subsequent flights of Regional Air Transport (Aerei da Trasporto Regionale),  before they are added to their fleet” the Ministry said, adding that, all Pilots should exercise extra caution when taking off in adverse weather conditions.

According to the statement, Starbow, had informed the Ministry of its intention to resume operations mid-year 2018, and government was committed to encourage and support all local airlines and entrepreneurs to set up strong private airlines that can fully utilise Ghana’s route rights.

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