Examining why the crash of TransAsia Airways Flight 235 has called into question the airline’s protocol for safety and maintenance.
The crash of TransAsia Airways Flight 235 into the Keelung River near Taipei on Wednesday is the second fatal accident involving the airline to occur in less than a year. Some speculate the crash will prompt regulators in Taiwan to force the issue of a safety review being enacted by TransAsia Airways.
Source: Reuters Report “TransAsia’s safety record under scrutiny after latest crash”
“SINGAPORE, Feb 4 (Reuters) – Taiwan regulators are likely to put more pressure on TransAsia Airways to review its maintenance and safety procedures after Wednesday’s crash, its second fatal accident in seven months.”
To read more visit http://finance.yahoo.com/news/transasias-safety-record-under-scrutiny-101106895.html;_ylt=AwrBT8zQV9JUyRMAneVXNyoA.
Flight GE235 had 58 passengers and crew on board. Two minutes after taking off, pilots were stated to have reported a flameout of one of the aircraft’s twin turboprop engines. Controllers lost contact shortly before the crash, which was recorded by dashcam video in at least two vehicles traveling near the scene. The confirmed death toll following early reports on the crash was 26.
Source: NBC News Report “TransAsia Turboprop ATR-72 Crashes Into Taiwan River, Killing 26”
“Of the 58 passengers and crew, 15 survivors were ferried or swam to safety from the partially submerged aircraft that had just taken off from the capital, Taipei. At least 26 people were confirmed dead, according to the airline. It said nine of the victims had been identified.”
To read more visit www.nbcnews.com/news/world/transasia-turboprop-atr-72-crashes-taiwan-river-killing-26-n299811.
Since 1995, TransAsia has seen four major crashes that led to the deaths of plane passengers or crew members, and one non fatal accident in which two people were injured. In addition to the crash of Flight GE235 these include:
- A crash involving an ATR 72-200 that was in flight from Penghu to Taipei. Four people were killed.
- The crash of TransAsia Airways cargo flight 791, which was en route from Taipei to Macau. The plane reportedly encountered severe icing conditions. A determination by the Aviation Safety Council of Taiwan following an investigation found the aircraft lost control after ice accumulated on major components of the plane.
- The crash of TransAsia Airways flight 543, which occurred at the Tainan Airport when the Airbus A321 and truck collided. All of the 175 people on board survived. The two people inside of the truck sustained injuries.
- The TransAsia Airways Flight 222 crash, which occurred near Magong Airport on Penghu Island. There were 47 confirmed deaths in the accident. It is still under investigation by the Taiwanese Aviation Safety Council.
This is by some standards a record number of accidents to occur within the time frame involving the same airline. In an effort to improve the air safety record for carriers in Taiwan following a string of fatal crashes by various airlines prior to the early 2000s, the government introduced major changes for its regulatory agencies. The recent crashes however, have some questioning whether more evaluation and modifications are needed.
“The public perception of the carrier will likely be impacted” by the recent disaster, says New York aviation accident attorney Jonathan C. Reiter who has followed reports on both the crashes of TransAsia Airways flights 235 and 222. The attorney also suggests “heavy pressure by regulators may mean TransAsia Airways could soon revamp its maintenance and safety protocol to meet higher standards of safety.”
The Taiwanese Aviation Safety Council is currently leading the investigation of the TransAsia Airways flights 235 crash.
