Preliminary investigations into the cause of the accident involving the Ethiopian cargo aircraft last Saturday have revealed that the plane developed a flat tyre upon landing at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA), forcing it to skid off the runway.
The Boeing 737 400 freighter aircraft with registration number ET-AQV operated by ASKY from Lom� to Accra, skidded off the runway, causing extensive damage to the aircraft.
The three-member crew on board the aircraft were treated and discharged for various injuries at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra.
A statement issued by management of Ethiopian Airlines said the aircraft: �skidded out of the runway with flat tyres upon landing at Kotoka International Airport in Accra on January 10, 2015�.
The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority has commenced initial investigations to ascertain the cause of a second major accident in the country involving cargo planes within the last two years. An investigation Committee has been duly constituted by the GCAA.
The GCAA on Monday held a meeting with Asky officials, as well as officials from the Togolese civil aviation authority as part of the process. Officials from Ethiopian Airlines are also expected to hold a meeting with the GCAA today.
Asky Airlines, an initiative of West African governments to provide the ease and convenience of travelling within the sub-region, is partly owned by Ethiopian Airlines. The Addis Ababa-based airlines owns 40 percent in Asky.
Asky Airlines operates a fleet with an average age of five years, all leased from Ethiopian Airlines.
The first major accident at the KIA involving an Allied Air cargo plane, in June 2012, damaged the Instrument Landing System (ILS) that aids in landing flights at the airport, and broke through the airport perimeter wall killing10 motorists on the adjoining road.
A five-member investigative committee investigated the accident and blamed it on the pilot�s negligence.
However, the report wasn�t finalised at the time of presenting it to the Transport Ministry, as Nigeria�s civil aviation and the Allied Air officials were yet to provide some required information.
Analysts have called for publication of the said report and the implementation of the specific recommendations contained to forestall any future accidents.
Airport re-zoning
Following the recent accident involving the Ethiopian cargo plane, the danger posed by private developers that have encroached on the lands of the Kotoka International Airport in recent times have been brought to the fore -- weeks after the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) issued a statement redefining and declaring the airport boundaries as a security zone.
Unauthorised structures within an airport enclave pose a threat to flight operations, life and airport installations.
The NSCS in a statement said: �It has come to the notice of the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) that there is a lot of pressure by private developers on the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) land close to the Airport installations.
�This trend has so far caused massive encroachment on the airport environment, posing a grave threat to flight operations and creating hazards such as bird-strikes and stray animals on the runway.�
The statement said: �A Land Commission public notice in 1998 aimed at halting all further developments on the KIA acquisition, in order to promote the airport�s land use objectives and safety and security of aviation operations. To prevent further encroachment and other unauthorised activities are curtailed.
It is therefore announced for the information of the general public that with immediate effect the Kotoka International Airport land area has been declared a Security Zone.
Any interested party that is in doubt as to whether his/her development falls within the area can call at the Lands Commission for clarification before any new or further development is undertaken,� the statement said.
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