Airlink Accident in George 7 December '09
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This from Flightglobal Third Airlink accident in three months as ERJ overruns
Third Airlink accident in three months as ERJ overruns
By David Kaminski-Morrow
Regional carrier South African Airlink has suffered another serious operational incident, its third in less than three months, this time involving an Embraer ERJ-135.
The aircraft aquaplaned while landing at George Airport, near the southern coast, while operating flight SA8625 from Cape Town.
Airlink says that all 30 passengers and the three crew members have escaped without injury. The carrier states that the aircraft "appears to be damaged".
Images from the scene show that the jet has travelled part-way down an embankment and come to rest on a road, with substantial damage to its nose section.
Airlink and the South African civil aviation authority identify the twin-jet as bearing registration ZS-SJW. Flight's ACAS database gives this as a nine-year old example last listed as being owned by Coronation Aircraft Leasing.
"Airport staff and trauma counsellors are with the passengers at present," says the airline.
Meteorological data for the time of the accident, which Airlink gives as 11:06, shows light rain and variable winds, primarily from the east.
George Airport has a single main runway, designated 11/29, with a length of approximately 2,000m (6,560ft).
The incident follows just weeks after a British Aerospace Jetstream, operated by Airlink, veered off the runway during take-off from Port Elizabeth on 18 November.
Airlink also suffered a fatal take-off accident on 24 September when another Jetstream lost engine power and crashed at Durban, killing the pilot.
Third Airlink accident in three months as ERJ overruns
By David Kaminski-Morrow
Regional carrier South African Airlink has suffered another serious operational incident, its third in less than three months, this time involving an Embraer ERJ-135.
The aircraft aquaplaned while landing at George Airport, near the southern coast, while operating flight SA8625 from Cape Town.
Airlink says that all 30 passengers and the three crew members have escaped without injury. The carrier states that the aircraft "appears to be damaged".
Images from the scene show that the jet has travelled part-way down an embankment and come to rest on a road, with substantial damage to its nose section.
Airlink and the South African civil aviation authority identify the twin-jet as bearing registration ZS-SJW. Flight's ACAS database gives this as a nine-year old example last listed as being owned by Coronation Aircraft Leasing.
"Airport staff and trauma counsellors are with the passengers at present," says the airline.
Meteorological data for the time of the accident, which Airlink gives as 11:06, shows light rain and variable winds, primarily from the east.
George Airport has a single main runway, designated 11/29, with a length of approximately 2,000m (6,560ft).
The incident follows just weeks after a British Aerospace Jetstream, operated by Airlink, veered off the runway during take-off from Port Elizabeth on 18 November.
Airlink also suffered a fatal take-off accident on 24 September when another Jetstream lost engine power and crashed at Durban, killing the pilot.
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I'm just wondering if SAA can pull the SA code from them. This is a reflection on the national carrier all over the world. Remember all the agents and the public think its SAA that had another accident.
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I doubt training a major factor here.
the problem is the low level of experience brought about by the treatment Airlink pilots get from management w.r.t. Salaries, FDP's, overall working conditions which makes Airlink a mere stepping stone to bigger and beter aircraft and working conditions, this rubs of with low moral, fatigue and general lowering of flight safety standards due to the overworked and morbid flight crew attitude, and this in turn can lead to pushing the safety envelope either intentionally or unintentionally with results as we see...3 accidents/incidents in 3 months.
the problem is the low level of experience brought about by the treatment Airlink pilots get from management w.r.t. Salaries, FDP's, overall working conditions which makes Airlink a mere stepping stone to bigger and beter aircraft and working conditions, this rubs of with low moral, fatigue and general lowering of flight safety standards due to the overworked and morbid flight crew attitude, and this in turn can lead to pushing the safety envelope either intentionally or unintentionally with results as we see...3 accidents/incidents in 3 months.
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Double standards?
It took only one serious incident for CAA to shut Nationwide down for months which indirectly led to them closing doors. Now Airlink has had 3 accidents in a matter of months and nothing from CAA? Makes one wonder...
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I am glad to hear nobody was badly bent. I was back in SA 2 weeks ago, I am sad to say that company has a problem. Was just reading my own comments I posted after an ERJ went farming in Ndola
That was posted in 2004
P.S. I have to get my 5c worth about the comment:
“Many of us would not even be flying the EMB135 were it not for the astute business skills of Mr Foster!!! Lets give credit where credit is due.”
History will judge RF and his “astute business skills”. Me thinks history will not be kind. It is a pity hindsight is a 20/20 science
“Many of us would not even be flying the EMB135 were it not for the astute business skills of Mr Foster!!! Lets give credit where credit is due.”
History will judge RF and his “astute business skills”. Me thinks history will not be kind. It is a pity hindsight is a 20/20 science
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Link has possibly grown more than managment can handle, lets remember who is at the helm ... Dear mr JVJ! Where he goes disaster is sure to follow!
Look at the photo's on timeslive and you will see that the aircraft registration is in fact ZS SJW and not X.
Look at the photo's on timeslive and you will see that the aircraft registration is in fact ZS SJW and not X.
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Landing Gate?
Am not familiar with Airlinks SOP's, but do they have a strict adherance to landing gates to avoid high energy approaches. I hasten to add, I'm not saying this is what it was but I do know a EB135 loaded, near sea level, with a wet runway (Braking action - Good) on speed should present no problems with 2000m? Reported light rain... I'm not familiar with the surface but... hey guys....?
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Airlink Swaziland was placed on EU blacklist so now it seems SA Airlink should maybe also be blacklisted? Oh, thats right. They dont fly into EU airspace. Its OK t kill us useless Effricans! So now maybe they have to officially change the name to SA Scarelink?
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SA Airlink should maybe also be blacklisted? ....
....
So now maybe they have to officially change the name to SA Scarelink?
....
So now maybe they have to officially change the name to SA Scarelink?
Granted, this a/c is a bit battered, but Link is not out there alone......
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this is not very good
Its very dissapointing to see that our airlines are having so many incidents or accidents, remembering that what we all talk about is not necessarly all the ones that the caa know about. The majority of the time we dont even know about the other incidents that dont make the news! 
I hope that when the report comes out we can learn from it and try not do it again! A lesson must be learnt or else we will be in deep trouble.
I wonder if the ATC on duty got counselling, that must pretty traumatic to watch an aircraft going off your runway!
I hope that when the report comes out we can learn from it and try not do it again! A lesson must be learnt or else we will be in deep trouble.
I wonder if the ATC on duty got counselling, that must pretty traumatic to watch an aircraft going off your runway!
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It does not matter which way you cut the thing up.
Any airline which has three accidents in such rapid succession where the lives of passengers were endangered or could have been endangered should be avoided by the thinking travelling public.
Far from bad luck, Airlink have been most incredibly lucky in the injury and fatality rate attending their safety record. Probably time for passengers to read between the log book lines and vote with their feet?
Any airline which has three accidents in such rapid succession where the lives of passengers were endangered or could have been endangered should be avoided by the thinking travelling public.
Far from bad luck, Airlink have been most incredibly lucky in the injury and fatality rate attending their safety record. Probably time for passengers to read between the log book lines and vote with their feet?