Gusto is taking shots at the wrong target.
This was a South African registered aircraft maintained by one of the larger and certainly reputable South Africa AMO’s.
With regard to the oil leak story this originated solely from a Newspaper Article.
For the benefit of Gusto and others whom have not been part of a DCA Accident Investigation Team, I will take the time to answer part of this post in detail because it does relate directly to what often happens in accidents. You get a mass of information. Some accurate, much often inaccurate and unfortunately a lot of downright scurrilous. Also a very important fact that it often takes some time for facts to emerge, sometimes months after an accident. This ‘oil leak’ provides a classic example of how a persistent rumour can run away with the truth.
The story of the “oil leak before take off” was a very persistent section of this investigation. It originated the day after the accident from the ZIS wire service.
Accordingly it was accorded high priority by the investigation team.
Within 2 days of the accident the DCA interviewed, whether they were on duty or not,
ALL the ATC staff at Livingstone, the refueling crews, the airport security staff, especially those who had apron duty, the NAC ground handling staff and the other pilots who were operating at the time of the accident whether on the ground or air.
They were unable to find any evidence of any leak or find anyone who had seen a leak on the aircraft or anyone who had been told FIRST HAND about a leak on the aircraft. Nevertheless it was still not discarded.
They continued to question, especially Pilots, anyone who had heard the story to try and track down its origin.
Finally 18 days after the accident, on a routine visit to MFUWE to crosscheck some information it was discovered that someone had reported to Mfuwe Tower, as KOX was taxiing out the day before, that there was ‘something leaking from the aircraft’.
This turned out to be fuel venting from the wing tips. A quite normal occurrence after refueling. The ATC Tower Tapes have the full query, discussion with the pilot and answer on record.
So please do not rush to judgment on our various DCA’s in Southern Africa. In most cases they do a very fine job with the very limited resources they have.
FB