GCAA announces Preliminary Report on 707 accident at Sharjah Airport

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), yesterday announced its preliminary report on the fatal accident of Boeing 707 Cargo airplane on 21st October 2009.

The aircraft - which was registered in Sudan and operated by Azza Transport of Sudan - had departed from Sharjah International Airport at 15:29 and crashed within two minutes of take-off from the airport, with six crewmembers onboard who did not survive.

The Aircraft was carrying air conditioning units, auto parts, computers and tools.

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is responsible for the investigation of all aircraft accidents within the UAE. The GCAA immediately established an investigation team to conduct a full and comprehensive investigation into this accident.

The B707 took-off from Sharjah Airport to Khartoom and after take-off and during initial climb, a part of the airframe located around the engine separated from the airframe and fell on the runway. Approximately 20 seconds into the flight the aircraft was found to be on a right turn which continued until it crashed approximately 1.2 kilometres from the end of runway 12 at Sharjah Airport.

For the time being, the GCAA has temporarily banned Azza Transport from operating in the UAE as a preventive measure whilst it investigates the cause of the accident.

An investigation team comprising five experts from the Regulation and Investigation Section of the GCAA is leading the current investigation and the GCAA said that it would be premature to announce the cause of the accident before the investigation is concluded. The GCAA is working in coordination with Authorities in other states to secure necessary records that might contain valuable information.

The preliminary investigation did not indicate any concerns with Sharjah International Airport's infrastructure and operations that could have contributed to the accident.

Earlier this year, Sharjah International Airport was issued an Aerodrome License by GCAA which is conducting numerous inspections and audits for all UAE airports including Sharjah, to ensure the highest safety and security standards in compliance with international regulations.