MAPUTO – The operating airline confirmed that the aircraft that crashed in Namibia en route to Angola, was brand new. LAM Mozambique Airines CEO Ms Marlene Manave released a press statement in regards to LAM flight TM470 yesterday.
She confirmed the 93-seat aircraft was manufactured in Brazil and was powered by two General Electric CF34-10 turbofan engines. It was delivered brand new from the factory and entered service with LAM on November 17, 2012. Until yesterday, the aircraft had logged only 2 905 flights hours in 1 877 flights.
The plane crashed in the Kavango region of Namibia on Saturday morning. The flight took off early from Maputo and was due to land in the Angolan capital Luanda at 13:10, but never arrived.
There has been confirmation that there was no survivors of the plane crash.
She said it was with great sorrow and regret that LAM Mozambique Airlines confirmed the tragic loss of LAM flight TM470.
She said they received confirmation from the Namibian Civil Aviation Authority that the search party and its inspectors had located and identified the aircraft wreckage at a site in northern Namibia.
“At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the passengers and crew who were onboard the aircraft and it is their well-being and taking care of their immediate needs that is and must take priority. ”
Manave said as a primary form of assistance, LAM had established family liaison centers at Maputo and Luanda airports. These are staffed with professional counselors in addition to leaders of various faiths representing the religions of the people concerned. ” At the same time, we are also providing advice to the families about the international legal processes that have to be followed following a fatal air accident.”
They have also set up a dedicated hotline for family members to call if they require information on their loved ones. The number for this hotline is:+258 21 468 778 or 9.
Flight TM470 was a scheduled service from Maputo to Luanda. It was carrying 27 passengers and six crew members. The passengers were citizens of the following countries: Mozambique (10) Angola (9) Portugal (5) France (1) People’s Republic of China (1) and Brazil (1).
The crew comprised of two pilots, three cabin attendants and a technician.
LAM has also briefed the Maputo-based Embassy and Consular officials of those countries. “We have mobilized Kenyon International, a global specialist disaster and emergency management organization to assist in the search and recovery of the victims remains and also their personal possessions.
For the families, this is important as it will enable the positive identification of each person who was on the aircraft.
“The Kenyon team is en-route from the UK to the accident site and by Sunday, we hope to have a clear assessment of the situation there. LAM has also assembled and dispatched its own response team to Namibia yesterday to assist and provide support to the authorities which will investigate this accident.”
In accordance with international aviation law, Namibia, as the country where the accident occurred, will lead the investigation. Civil Aviation Authorities from Mozambique, Angola, Brazil and the US National Transportation Safety Board will also participate in the investigation.
” We do not have any information on the circumstances of the accident and we cannot speculate on possible causes as the investigators must be given the time and space to do their work without interference or prejudice. It was an Embraer 190, with the Mozambique registration C9-EMC. ”
