CAA finally releases Bhoja Air crash report
The report confirms that Bhoja Air had not trained its pilots on the Boeing variant they were flying
People stand amid the debris of Bhoja Air Boeing 737 crash on the outskirts of Islamabad on April 25, 2012. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Pakistan on Wednesday released its investigation report, nearly three years after Bhoja Air flight BHO-213 crashed near Islamabad, killing all 127 people on board.
The Express Tribune had reported the investigation's details and findings a year ago. The CAA’s report confirmed those findings that the unfortunate plane was a Boeing 737-236a – an advanced version of the Boeing 737-200 – on which the pilots had not been trained by the airline. The CAA report notes that the “ineffective automated flight deck management in extreme adverse weather conditions by cockpit crew caused the accident.”
RELATED: Bhoja Air crash: Revelations from the CAA report
“Incorrect selection of cockpit crew on account of their inadequate flying experience, training and competence level for Boeing 737-236A (advanced version of Boeing 737-200 series), absence of formal simulator training in respect of FO for handling an automated flight deck, non-existence of cockpit crew professional competence / skill level monitoring system at operator level (Bhoja Air).”
According to the report, the cockpit crew made an incorrect decision to continue the flight for destination and non- adherence to Boeing recommended remedial actions, procedures due to non-availability of customised aircraft documents (at Bhoja Air) for Boeing 737-236A (advanced version of Boeing 737-200 series) contributed to the accident.
The report also found that CAA Pakistan was unable to ensure automated flight deck variance type training and monitoring requirements primarily due to incorrect information provided by the Bhoja Air and that it was a contributory factor in the accident.
In January 2014, The Express Tribune had reported that Bhoja had bought the aircraft after obtaining all relevant checks and approvals in January 2012. On the 12th of that month, Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority’s inspectors Shaukat Hameed and Javed Afzal undertook a detailed inspection of the aircraft at Johannesburg.
They pointed out 28 discrepancies, which ranged from peeled-off paint to a fan blade of one engine sporting a cut. They also examined the waviness of the blade. All defects were removed in following weeks.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Pakistan on Wednesday released its investigation report, nearly three years after Bhoja Air flight BHO-213 crashed near Islamabad, killing all 127 people on board.
The Express Tribune had reported the investigation's details and findings a year ago. The CAA’s report confirmed those findings that the unfortunate plane was a Boeing 737-236a – an advanced version of the Boeing 737-200 – on which the pilots had not been trained by the airline. The CAA report notes that the “ineffective automated flight deck management in extreme adverse weather conditions by cockpit crew caused the accident.”
RELATED: Bhoja Air crash: Revelations from the CAA report
“Incorrect selection of cockpit crew on account of their inadequate flying experience, training and competence level for Boeing 737-236A (advanced version of Boeing 737-200 series), absence of formal simulator training in respect of FO for handling an automated flight deck, non-existence of cockpit crew professional competence / skill level monitoring system at operator level (Bhoja Air).”
According to the report, the cockpit crew made an incorrect decision to continue the flight for destination and non- adherence to Boeing recommended remedial actions, procedures due to non-availability of customised aircraft documents (at Bhoja Air) for Boeing 737-236A (advanced version of Boeing 737-200 series) contributed to the accident.
The report also found that CAA Pakistan was unable to ensure automated flight deck variance type training and monitoring requirements primarily due to incorrect information provided by the Bhoja Air and that it was a contributory factor in the accident.
In January 2014, The Express Tribune had reported that Bhoja had bought the aircraft after obtaining all relevant checks and approvals in January 2012. On the 12th of that month, Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority’s inspectors Shaukat Hameed and Javed Afzal undertook a detailed inspection of the aircraft at Johannesburg.
They pointed out 28 discrepancies, which ranged from peeled-off paint to a fan blade of one engine sporting a cut. They also examined the waviness of the blade. All defects were removed in following weeks.