Another Air Serv Accident (March 4th 2009, Sudan)

[V1... Ooops]

Does anyone know any further details about this one - a Caravan accident in Sudan earlier this month?

ASN Aircraft accident Cessna 208 Caravan I 5X-ASI Maridi Airport (http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20090304-0)

[grizzled]

Hey V1

There is a reference to it on the ASI website (not much though). I too have been trying to get more info. Any Airserv folks reading this? Hello? What's the scoop re the engine failure on the caravan?

[Fuzzy Lager]

Ouch, what a waste. Was a nice aeroplane.

[V1... Ooops]

I found a press release on the AirServ website (http://http://www.airserv.org/main.cfm?action=newsroom). The text of the press release is as follows:

AIR TRAGEDY AVERTED BY QUICK-ACTING PILOT

Cessna 208 Caravan landed safely despite engine failure in southern Sudan.

WARRENTON, VIRGINIA: In the afternoon of March 4, a Cessna 208 Caravan operated by Air Serv Limited (ASL) had to perform a forced landing shortly after take off from Maridi, Sudan, when it suffered engine failure. The ASL pilot expertly guided the disabled plane carrying four passengers back onto the runway before eventually coming to a stop off the end of the landing strip.

“The pilot did an excellent job minimizing the potential danger, he reacted calmly and professionally to ensure the safety of his passengers,” said Daniel Latimer, Managing Director ASL.

The Sudanese Civil Aviation Authority will more than likely lead the incident investigation and may invite other regional and international authorities to participate. ASL, based in Entebbe, Uganda, immediately deployed an assessment team to the scene to secure the aicraft for further investigation. ASL is also cooperating fully with the Ugandan Civil Aviation Authority.

StandardAero has dispatched an expert representative to examine the failed engine in order to quickly determine the cause of this incident. StandardAero is one of the world’s largest independent gas turbine engine and accessories maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities and are fully approved by Aviation Regulatory Bodies and Pratt & Whitney Canada (the engine manufacturer of the Cessna 208 Caravan).

The Cessna 208 Caravan is a single turboprop engine, fixed-gear short-haul regional airliner and utility aircraft built in the USA by Cessna. The airplane typically seats nine passengers, with a single person crew and is currently being operated by over 50 Commercial operators worldwide.

Air Serv Limited, based out of Entebbe Uganda, is a fully owned subsidiary of Virgina-based Air Serv International.

# # #

[aime]

Ever since Air Serv started subcontracting in order to make/save money, Air Serv chartered flights have become unsafe. It all sarted under Wilcutts "reign" and continued with the many CEO's that followed. Most knew little or nothing about aviation.

Air Serv is into "Image/Branding" etc., not into safety and proper training. They cannot afford experienced pilots at this time.
:cool:

[Fuzzy Lager]

Um...the aircraft invovled is an Air Serv machine and has belonged to them for many many years. The pilot concerned is an Air Serv pilot who is very experienced and has been with them for many years too.

[V1... Ooops]

Apropos of AirServ, I heard that they closed down their Goma, DRC operation this week - can anyone confirm this?

[CloudQueen]

Confirmed!

[V1... Ooops]

So, what is happening with AirServ? Where are they still active, and what does the future look like?