This article was published in the Brazilian press an hour ago:
Colômbia responsabiliza órgão do governo boliviano por autorização irregular a voo da LaMia
Key points include:
- Colombia's Secretary of Air Safety, Colonel Fredy Bonilla, holds AASANA (noted to be a Bolivian government body) responsible for the crash due to irregular authorisation of the flight plan.
- LaMia did not hold proper authorisation to carry passengers nor market national or international flights.
- Colombian civil aviation authorities have stated that according to the Chicago Convention they have sole responsibility for investigating the accident. This may be in response to the Bolivian "final report" already released.
- The flight was over permitted weight, in addition to Medellin being at the limit of its fuel.
- CVR evidence reveals that the pilots discussed making a refuelling stop in Leticia or Bogota. Colonel Bonilla states that the pilots were aware that fuel on board was neither adequate nor sufficient.
A comment on the article notes that alternative refuelling stops were also available in Brazil in Rio Branco and Tabatinga (the latter being right next to Leticia - the two are effectively one town with an international border down the middle).