Airline Pilots Call for Technical Inquiry After TransAsia Crash

Following Wednesday’s TransAsia plane crash killing 32 people in Taiwan, the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) urges that technical investigations be carried out in order to assess the circumstances leading to the accident so as to offer insight and prevent any further incidents.

Shortly after takeoff, a plane carrying 58 passengers plunged into Taipei’s Keelung River, killing at least 32 people. Eleven are still missing. Fifteen passengers survived.

IFALPA has offered to provide expert advice and consultation to the Republic of China’s Aviation Safety Council.

IFALPA also stressed the need for inquiries to focus on identifying the accident’s contributing factors and making the necessary safety recommendations. It added that findings should not be impeded by administrative or judicial proceedings, investigators should have direct and open access to all evidential material and unrestricted control over it to ensure that a detailed examination can be made without delay by the relevant safety experts.

The pilot authority also stressed that all relevant information including witness statements, accident details, data or records should not be disclosed in order to avoid misinterpretation.

IFALPA, which represents over 100,000 pilots in more than 100 countries, aims to ensure the highest level of aviation safety by offering knowhow and services.