Accident - Cessna 210, Zambia, 9 September 2004, AUSTRALIANS killed.
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Accident - Cessna 210, Zambia, 9 September 2004, AUSTRALIANS killed.
Accident - Cessna 210, Zambia, 9 September 2004, AUSTRALIANS killed.
Folks, I am trying to gather information, details and updates in regards to the accident involving South African registered plane ZS-KOX, which crashed while returning from a flight to Victoria Falls in Zambia. On board were Justine Watters, her husband, Matt Watters, Matt's mother, Shirley Watters, and their friends from United Kingdom, Justin and Rebecca Ward. All, including the Canadian pilot, Mike Channer, died. I am doing this of my own undertaking in the hope that I can assist in some small way to bring closure on this accident for a friend of mine who was and still is personally touched by the accident. Although it occurred in Zambia there were Australian citizens killed, and the ATSB had a part to play in the initial investigation, so I feel this thread rightly belongs in the downunder forum. I reiterate that I am receiving no financial gain from helping my friend. I have been researching this accident for several weeks and agree that justice is warranted, and rightfully owed, to the victims families, friends and associates.
I am happy to also receive PM’s if anybody prefers that option over posting publicly.
Best regards
Para
Initial details of the accident at the below link;
Three members of WA family killed in Africa plane crash - World - www.smh.com.au
The 2005 ATSB investigation report at the below link. The ATSB were never supplied a final accident report from the DCA. It is a disgrace that Australian citizens could be killed and that the Australian government accept only a draft accident report as the final piece of the puzzle. This is not acceptable. I would like to know what actions, if any, were ever taken by Australia over this matter. Why hasn’t the foreign Minister intervened and demanded closure over these deaths. 10 years is far too long and this entire episode stinks. My feelings are that if Dolan is eager to assist with the two MH accidents then why not re-open this accident occurrence and proactively push for a proper closure? A death is a death. Perhaps Transport Canada would also like to get involved, after all they also lost a Citizen as well, the Captain.
Investigation: 200405510 - Cessna Aircraft Company, Centurion
The below link contains an overview of the fantastic work that Judi Moylan has put into helping the deceased families to gain closure and a satisfactory outcome.(must be something in the water because it seems that WA and SA Pollies such as Moylan and Xenophon are the only proactive non-afraid tax payer funded Pollies that we have).
Federation Chamber- Grievance Debate- African Air Disaster > Hon Judi Moylan MP
Folks, I am trying to gather information, details and updates in regards to the accident involving South African registered plane ZS-KOX, which crashed while returning from a flight to Victoria Falls in Zambia. On board were Justine Watters, her husband, Matt Watters, Matt's mother, Shirley Watters, and their friends from United Kingdom, Justin and Rebecca Ward. All, including the Canadian pilot, Mike Channer, died. I am doing this of my own undertaking in the hope that I can assist in some small way to bring closure on this accident for a friend of mine who was and still is personally touched by the accident. Although it occurred in Zambia there were Australian citizens killed, and the ATSB had a part to play in the initial investigation, so I feel this thread rightly belongs in the downunder forum. I reiterate that I am receiving no financial gain from helping my friend. I have been researching this accident for several weeks and agree that justice is warranted, and rightfully owed, to the victims families, friends and associates.
I am happy to also receive PM’s if anybody prefers that option over posting publicly.
Best regards
Para
Initial details of the accident at the below link;
Three members of WA family killed in Africa plane crash - World - www.smh.com.au
The 2005 ATSB investigation report at the below link. The ATSB were never supplied a final accident report from the DCA. It is a disgrace that Australian citizens could be killed and that the Australian government accept only a draft accident report as the final piece of the puzzle. This is not acceptable. I would like to know what actions, if any, were ever taken by Australia over this matter. Why hasn’t the foreign Minister intervened and demanded closure over these deaths. 10 years is far too long and this entire episode stinks. My feelings are that if Dolan is eager to assist with the two MH accidents then why not re-open this accident occurrence and proactively push for a proper closure? A death is a death. Perhaps Transport Canada would also like to get involved, after all they also lost a Citizen as well, the Captain.
Investigation: 200405510 - Cessna Aircraft Company, Centurion
The below link contains an overview of the fantastic work that Judi Moylan has put into helping the deceased families to gain closure and a satisfactory outcome.(must be something in the water because it seems that WA and SA Pollies such as Moylan and Xenophon are the only proactive non-afraid tax payer funded Pollies that we have).
Federation Chamber- Grievance Debate- African Air Disaster > Hon Judi Moylan MP
Last edited by Paragraph377; 12th Aug 2014 at 03:18.
The reality is that this is Africa:
http://www.pprune.org/african-aviati...rica-when.html
If you had lived and worked in Africa you would understand the limited resources available to civil servants who are usually paid a pittance by NZ standards. Countries where, when you report a crime, you are asked to go to the police station and collect the policemen as they have no fuel for their vehicle.
The accident, sad though it is, seems straight forward? I am not sure what outcome you are looking forward after 10 years? Unfortunately money changes hands, files are lost and shoddy operators continue to ply their trade. Even in South Africa, the previous high standards of the early 90's have been eroded.
http://www.pprune.org/african-aviati...rica-when.html
If you had lived and worked in Africa you would understand the limited resources available to civil servants who are usually paid a pittance by NZ standards. Countries where, when you report a crime, you are asked to go to the police station and collect the policemen as they have no fuel for their vehicle.
The accident, sad though it is, seems straight forward? I am not sure what outcome you are looking forward after 10 years? Unfortunately money changes hands, files are lost and shoddy operators continue to ply their trade. Even in South Africa, the previous high standards of the early 90's have been eroded.
Last edited by Ndegi; 12th Aug 2014 at 22:33. Reason: Reread the Moylan Grievance
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I was a close friend of the pilot, and just came across this thread, if you're still interested in learning more about the crash, please DM me. I literally made this account specifically for this reason.
The plane passengers in question were on holiday when they took the flight on a Cessna airplane known as ZS-KOX. During the flight, the plane's propeller fell off at 8,000 feet.
https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo...a3db%2F0158%22
https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo...a3db%2F0158%22
FB,
As megan said, the PM function won't work until Canada22 has ten posts.
As megan said, the PM function won't work until Canada22 has ten posts.
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Relative of the victims
Hello, I am a great niece and 2nd cousin to the people involved in this accident.
it has now been 19 Years since the accident, and the memories and feelings of that day are still extremely fresh. i was 10 years old at the time and all i remember was the despair and grief our family experienced. We spent everyday together as a family until time caught up with us and you have to continue on. My step father was responsible for listening to the black box from the aircraft and he refuses to tell me what he heard. As i’m older now i understand that i just don’t want to know either. there is so much more but i would rather not go into detail.
our family are healed but we will never forget this traumatic even that occurred.
it has now been 19 Years since the accident, and the memories and feelings of that day are still extremely fresh. i was 10 years old at the time and all i remember was the despair and grief our family experienced. We spent everyday together as a family until time caught up with us and you have to continue on. My step father was responsible for listening to the black box from the aircraft and he refuses to tell me what he heard. As i’m older now i understand that i just don’t want to know either. there is so much more but i would rather not go into detail.
our family are healed but we will never forget this traumatic even that occurred.
Hello, I am a great niece and 2nd cousin to the people involved in this accident.
it has now been 19 Years since the accident, and the memories and feelings of that day are still extremely fresh. i was 10 years old at the time and all i remember was the despair and grief our family experienced. We spent everyday together as a family until time caught up with us and you have to continue on. My step father was responsible for listening to the black box from the aircraft and he refuses to tell me what he heard. As i’m older now i understand that i just don’t want to know either. there is so much more but i would rather not go into detail.
our family are healed but we will never forget this traumatic even that occurred.
it has now been 19 Years since the accident, and the memories and feelings of that day are still extremely fresh. i was 10 years old at the time and all i remember was the despair and grief our family experienced. We spent everyday together as a family until time caught up with us and you have to continue on. My step father was responsible for listening to the black box from the aircraft and he refuses to tell me what he heard. As i’m older now i understand that i just don’t want to know either. there is so much more but i would rather not go into detail.
our family are healed but we will never forget this traumatic even that occurred.
DF.
Perhaps he was allowed to listen to ATC tapes.
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Thank your Step Father for not allowing you to listen to it, hearing the horror that took place is unnecessary given the loss of life. Close friends of mine did listen to it, and deeply regret it, Mike's mother told me she burned her copy because it was that horrible.
Mike was an excellent pilot he had flown for many years prior to him working in Zambia, I understand the grief you and your family have experienced. Mike truly loved being a pilot and wanted to fly, and travel the world. The maintenance of the aircraft was poor, the screws used to hold the prop on were not secured properly with the correct aviation hardware and they backed out leaving the aircraft with no option but to land.
Mike did land the aircraft, safely, but there was a tree that was in his path ...
@DF the recording was given to all families involved.
Mike was an excellent pilot he had flown for many years prior to him working in Zambia, I understand the grief you and your family have experienced. Mike truly loved being a pilot and wanted to fly, and travel the world. The maintenance of the aircraft was poor, the screws used to hold the prop on were not secured properly with the correct aviation hardware and they backed out leaving the aircraft with no option but to land.
Mike did land the aircraft, safely, but there was a tree that was in his path ...
@DF the recording was given to all families involved.
In the nine years since this thread was started one of the original URLs no longer works, and for some reason the AAIB link gave trouble as well.
Lyds94 and others, if you would prefer I am happy to delete the content, or this post entirely, but for the sake of those who may come across this in the future and wish to know more, Judy Moylan's speech is presented below. I hesitated to include this but given the original post mentioned names, that the speech was a made in public, and there appeared to be a scarcity of detail out of Zambia, the information it provided seems both worthwhile and important.
Those reading the sparse AAIB information will see that there was meant to be a Zambian DCA report ("The DCA supplied the ATSB with a copy of the draft of its final report on the accident and invited the ATSB to comment. ATSB provided comments on the draft and supplied additional technical information.The DCA is yet to publish its final report on the accident"). I have looked for this report on Zambia Civil Aviation Authority - Home and https://aaib.org.zm/index.php, but was unable to locate it. A possible reason for this may be found from the link Bend alot posted.
Federation Chamber- Grievance Debate- African Air DisasterPosted on Wednesday, 13 February 2013
Mrs MOYLAN (Pearce) (21:09): I appreciate the opportunity to raise a grievance in this debate this evening on behalf of one of my constituents. It has been almost 8½ years since South African registered plane ZS-KOX crashed while returning from a flight to Victoria Falls in Zambia. On board were Justine Watters, her husband, Matt Watters, Matt's mother, Shirley Watters, and their friends from United Kingdom, Justin and Rebecca Ward. All, including the Canadian pilot, Mike Channer, perished.
The Watters family were constituents in my seat of Pearce, as is Justine Watters' father, Mr Sam Morton, who I understand is in the parliament this evening. Mr Morton is an extraordinary person who, in the midst of his own considerable grief, was one of the first people to get to the crash site, where he began the gruelling process of recovering the bodies of his much loved family, their friends and indeed the pilot. Sam Morton has been a constant source of comfort to the other families affected by this disaster and has pressed tirelessly for action from the South African government, both to have the matter properly investigated and to ensure that such an event could not happen again.
Shortly after the return flight began, the propeller of ZS KOX fell off at 8,000 feet and six minutes later the plane crashed. Mr Morton has been very grateful for the cooperation and assistance of Mr Joseph Kabotolo, Mr Chitalu Kabalika—then the director of the Zambian Department of Civil Aviation—and Ms Karen Van Boxtel, stationed with the British FCO in Lusaka, for the kindness and help they rendered the bereaved families following the tragedy. The Zambian Department of Civil Aviation, along with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and its American counterpart, conducted an investigation into the reasons for the crash. The findings were disturbing as the causes were found to be:
…in-flight detachment of the propeller assembly attachment studs, improper torque of the propeller studs (failure to lock the studs allowed the studs to back out of the propeller hub assembly in the separation of the propeller from the aircraft ), failure to follow correct propeller installation procedure; and failure to use identifiable manufacturers ' approved parts.
There were suitable landing sites available to the pilot but he had no power source and visibility was extremely reduced due to engine oil covering the cockpit windows.
As the plane was registered in South Africa the maintenance had to be carried out by a South African registered maintenance company approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority, or SACAA. Following the accident, Mr Pine Pienaar, then chief executive officer of Nelair Engineering, confirmed in writing that the propeller of ZS KOX was removed by Nelair 130 operating hours before the crash and inspected 30 operating hours before the crash. Nelair carried out the last three mandatory periodic inspections, which included removal and refitting of the propeller, in January 2004. The final mandatory periodic inspection and other maintenance was carried out by Nelair only 19 days before the crash. In 2006, the late Dr Ian Phillips of the South African Department of Transport assisted SACAA in examining the details of the crash. Dr Phillips informed the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that SACAA had audited Nelair and as a result revoked their aircraft maintenance organisation licence, called an AMO. Dr Phillips stated that the cancellation was permanent and that the Department of Transport would vigorously resist any effort by Nelair to obtain their AMO licence again. Since the crash of ZS KOX, Nelair has been involved in two additional incidents involving poor maintenance, of which one was a propeller separation.
If you do a Google search you will find Nelair still advertising as one of the largest privately owned companies in South Africa concentrating on aircraft maintenance and servicing. Since 2006 the matter has been vigorously pursued by Sam Morton—through three prime ministers in Australia, four successive Australian foreign ministers including Alexander Downer, the member for Griffith, the member for Perth, the current Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Bob Carr, and the British and Canadian governments who have been actively engaged, and all have been extremely helpful. In 2006 I was in South Africa with the assistance of the then Australian High Commissioner Philip Green, who made an extraordinary effort to assist. We tried to set up a meeting with the director-general of the Department of Transport, Ms Mpumi Mpofu. Ms Mpofu was not available for a meeting. A phone hook-up was arranged with her and she subsequently undertook to inform the minister of these events. I also addressed the relevant South African Senate committee, whose members expressed much sympathy and distress over the terrible loss of life.
Mr Levers Mapaso from the South African Department of Transport referred the matter to the National Prosecution Authority for review and it has been with that authority since April 2009. The parts sent to America by the Zambian Department of Civil Aviation for investigation have gone missing. The South African CAA claimed key files were lost, and a board of inquiry was cancelled at the last minute without any clear reasons being given. Time delays and the failure of the relevant South African authorities to notify the South African Police Service within a reasonable period of time that a criminal investigation is called for has resulted in crucial evidence being lost and or unaccounted for. Mr Morton has not given up and continues to press for a just outcome. He has the support of many in this place, including my colleague the member for Brand, who has been very helpful in bringing the matter to the attention of the current government. Mr Morton and the other families are entitled to answers to so many unanswered questions.
Tonight I would again respectfully ask the South African authorities to take all necessary action to properly investigate this matter. I wish also to record my appreciation, as I said, for the member for Brand, who has provided assistance in continuing to pursue this matter in recent years. I extend again my sincere sympathy to Mr Morton and his family and to families of the other people who lost their lives in what should have been an avoidable disaster.
Most importantly, the member for Brand and I had hoped that the South African High Commissioner would be here this evening. Perhaps the high commissioner is somewhere in the parliamentary building. There are questions that need to be answered and issues that need to be investigated. Why wasn't this matter referred by the relevant South African authorities to the South African Police Service in a timely manner? Why was the board of inquiry cancelled without any reasonable explanation? What has happened to the failed parts of ZS-KOX which were examined by investigators and have now gone missing? Finally, what has happened to the key files that are also, we have been told, now missing or unaccounted for?
Mr Deputy Speaker, I put it to you and to others in this parliament: these are very serious matters. They must be investigated and the questions must be answered. Once again, I would like to thank the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and all those who have assisted us over the years to try to get this matter properly investigated and to make sure that this kind of event does not cause such grief to other families as it has caused to the Morton and Watters families and the other families from the UK and Canada.
Lyds94 and others, if you would prefer I am happy to delete the content, or this post entirely, but for the sake of those who may come across this in the future and wish to know more, Judy Moylan's speech is presented below. I hesitated to include this but given the original post mentioned names, that the speech was a made in public, and there appeared to be a scarcity of detail out of Zambia, the information it provided seems both worthwhile and important.
Those reading the sparse AAIB information will see that there was meant to be a Zambian DCA report ("The DCA supplied the ATSB with a copy of the draft of its final report on the accident and invited the ATSB to comment. ATSB provided comments on the draft and supplied additional technical information.The DCA is yet to publish its final report on the accident"). I have looked for this report on Zambia Civil Aviation Authority - Home and https://aaib.org.zm/index.php, but was unable to locate it. A possible reason for this may be found from the link Bend alot posted.
Federation Chamber- Grievance Debate- African Air DisasterPosted on Wednesday, 13 February 2013
Mrs MOYLAN (Pearce) (21:09): I appreciate the opportunity to raise a grievance in this debate this evening on behalf of one of my constituents. It has been almost 8½ years since South African registered plane ZS-KOX crashed while returning from a flight to Victoria Falls in Zambia. On board were Justine Watters, her husband, Matt Watters, Matt's mother, Shirley Watters, and their friends from United Kingdom, Justin and Rebecca Ward. All, including the Canadian pilot, Mike Channer, perished.
The Watters family were constituents in my seat of Pearce, as is Justine Watters' father, Mr Sam Morton, who I understand is in the parliament this evening. Mr Morton is an extraordinary person who, in the midst of his own considerable grief, was one of the first people to get to the crash site, where he began the gruelling process of recovering the bodies of his much loved family, their friends and indeed the pilot. Sam Morton has been a constant source of comfort to the other families affected by this disaster and has pressed tirelessly for action from the South African government, both to have the matter properly investigated and to ensure that such an event could not happen again.
Shortly after the return flight began, the propeller of ZS KOX fell off at 8,000 feet and six minutes later the plane crashed. Mr Morton has been very grateful for the cooperation and assistance of Mr Joseph Kabotolo, Mr Chitalu Kabalika—then the director of the Zambian Department of Civil Aviation—and Ms Karen Van Boxtel, stationed with the British FCO in Lusaka, for the kindness and help they rendered the bereaved families following the tragedy. The Zambian Department of Civil Aviation, along with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and its American counterpart, conducted an investigation into the reasons for the crash. The findings were disturbing as the causes were found to be:
…in-flight detachment of the propeller assembly attachment studs, improper torque of the propeller studs (failure to lock the studs allowed the studs to back out of the propeller hub assembly in the separation of the propeller from the aircraft ), failure to follow correct propeller installation procedure; and failure to use identifiable manufacturers ' approved parts.
There were suitable landing sites available to the pilot but he had no power source and visibility was extremely reduced due to engine oil covering the cockpit windows.
As the plane was registered in South Africa the maintenance had to be carried out by a South African registered maintenance company approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority, or SACAA. Following the accident, Mr Pine Pienaar, then chief executive officer of Nelair Engineering, confirmed in writing that the propeller of ZS KOX was removed by Nelair 130 operating hours before the crash and inspected 30 operating hours before the crash. Nelair carried out the last three mandatory periodic inspections, which included removal and refitting of the propeller, in January 2004. The final mandatory periodic inspection and other maintenance was carried out by Nelair only 19 days before the crash. In 2006, the late Dr Ian Phillips of the South African Department of Transport assisted SACAA in examining the details of the crash. Dr Phillips informed the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that SACAA had audited Nelair and as a result revoked their aircraft maintenance organisation licence, called an AMO. Dr Phillips stated that the cancellation was permanent and that the Department of Transport would vigorously resist any effort by Nelair to obtain their AMO licence again. Since the crash of ZS KOX, Nelair has been involved in two additional incidents involving poor maintenance, of which one was a propeller separation.
If you do a Google search you will find Nelair still advertising as one of the largest privately owned companies in South Africa concentrating on aircraft maintenance and servicing. Since 2006 the matter has been vigorously pursued by Sam Morton—through three prime ministers in Australia, four successive Australian foreign ministers including Alexander Downer, the member for Griffith, the member for Perth, the current Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Bob Carr, and the British and Canadian governments who have been actively engaged, and all have been extremely helpful. In 2006 I was in South Africa with the assistance of the then Australian High Commissioner Philip Green, who made an extraordinary effort to assist. We tried to set up a meeting with the director-general of the Department of Transport, Ms Mpumi Mpofu. Ms Mpofu was not available for a meeting. A phone hook-up was arranged with her and she subsequently undertook to inform the minister of these events. I also addressed the relevant South African Senate committee, whose members expressed much sympathy and distress over the terrible loss of life.
Mr Levers Mapaso from the South African Department of Transport referred the matter to the National Prosecution Authority for review and it has been with that authority since April 2009. The parts sent to America by the Zambian Department of Civil Aviation for investigation have gone missing. The South African CAA claimed key files were lost, and a board of inquiry was cancelled at the last minute without any clear reasons being given. Time delays and the failure of the relevant South African authorities to notify the South African Police Service within a reasonable period of time that a criminal investigation is called for has resulted in crucial evidence being lost and or unaccounted for. Mr Morton has not given up and continues to press for a just outcome. He has the support of many in this place, including my colleague the member for Brand, who has been very helpful in bringing the matter to the attention of the current government. Mr Morton and the other families are entitled to answers to so many unanswered questions.
Tonight I would again respectfully ask the South African authorities to take all necessary action to properly investigate this matter. I wish also to record my appreciation, as I said, for the member for Brand, who has provided assistance in continuing to pursue this matter in recent years. I extend again my sincere sympathy to Mr Morton and his family and to families of the other people who lost their lives in what should have been an avoidable disaster.
Most importantly, the member for Brand and I had hoped that the South African High Commissioner would be here this evening. Perhaps the high commissioner is somewhere in the parliamentary building. There are questions that need to be answered and issues that need to be investigated. Why wasn't this matter referred by the relevant South African authorities to the South African Police Service in a timely manner? Why was the board of inquiry cancelled without any reasonable explanation? What has happened to the failed parts of ZS-KOX which were examined by investigators and have now gone missing? Finally, what has happened to the key files that are also, we have been told, now missing or unaccounted for?
Mr Deputy Speaker, I put it to you and to others in this parliament: these are very serious matters. They must be investigated and the questions must be answered. Once again, I would like to thank the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and all those who have assisted us over the years to try to get this matter properly investigated and to make sure that this kind of event does not cause such grief to other families as it has caused to the Morton and Watters families and the other families from the UK and Canada.
Last edited by First_Principal; 19th Apr 2023 at 21:27. Reason: Formatting
