contact number
 

Hi Johan.
I have sent you my contact number

Goffel

Air Serv flight into Bukavu
 

Hello fellow pilots,

I flew for Air Serv in the DRC. Safety was not their number one priority. They said it was but it was not.

Their "Image" was their obsession. We can see today where that obsession lead them. CEO's coming and going, crashes, law suits, loss of credibility etc.

The big problem is that - ok it's not politically correct but this is true -
female program directors, country managers... at Air Serv were SO idolized by a couple of womanizers at HQ that they were given carte blanche to call the shots. Often it meant arguing with pilots about aviation safety of which they knew virtually nothing!!

I feel that the Bukavu accident could have been avoided if Air Serv had hired better trained people who would let pilots make all decisions pertaining to the flights from start to finish.

My deepest sympathy to the families of the victims.

Bukavu / Air Serv DRC
 

Hello Sir,

I sent a letter to the Virginia FAA Flight Standard District Office in 2003 outlining some of the working conditions at Air Serv, Goma.
Air Serv was also sent a copy.


Perhaps you should get in touch with them and get a copy.

Aime

Thank you Aime.

Virginia FSDO
 

You are welcome.

Here is the FSDO link: http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/...ices/fsdo/dca/

There should be a record of it. Probably Air Serv has a copy too.

Keep me posted.

Hi Aime,

Sorry for the late reply. I am still busy with the investigation and will keep you posted. I am still trying to get the FDR information. Made contact with a reliable sourse to get it for me in the Congo.

Thanks for the info.

Johan

Air Serve
 

Aime,

I agree with you about the management of Air Serve, I worked in Amman and the country director there was a idiot and so was a certain female manager, if you didn`t kiss old Timmermans behind you were sure to not come back to Amman! The chief pilot Kurt knew well that there was problems in Amman and he just sat back and let it go on!

Missing 1900 in Congo
 

Just to let you know, I am still awaiting assistance from CAA SA and the South African Embassy to get a transcript of the Data Flight Recorder. I was promised to get it shortly. Unfortunately I do not know how long the term shortly is, as it is 16 months later and I am still waiting.

Regards,

Johan