Cowboy was contracted in January this year by Jan Vader of the BCG Aircraft Recoveries BV from the Netherland’s on behalf of the insurance brokers and lawyers involved in the LAM Mozambique TM470 crash.
Since March 3rd, Cowboy had to employ its logistics ability set up a remote base camp, provide the workforce of 25 men, expertise and equipment to take on the painstaking job to recover the plane’s parts and any remains from the site stretching 2,5km.
All operations and work procedures were undertaken under the jurisdiction of the Namibian Aircraft Accident Investigation Division, headed by Captain Ericksson Nengola. Despite the rough terrain compounded by the rainy season, Cowboy’s managed the work in a record time, although it was the first time it undertook such a project.
“Each day was an adventure in itself as the Kavango flood plains rose and made 4x4 access to the crash site a daily challenge. The crash site was divided into a grid formation, with each area having to be individually cleared. The rake teams were carefully guided to separate the aircraft components.
They were monitored to ensure that the proper bagging of the debris into specifically labelled bags. These bags were all registered by the BCG team. All recovered debris is now stored in a secure, airtight storage facility for the duration of the investigation,” said Ulla Büttner of Cowboy’s.
Captain Nengola expressed his satisfaction with the professionalism of the Cowboy’s team and was impressed by the high standards that have been set. An official from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Cletius Maketo approved the clearing and rehabilitation of the crash site and the base-camp by the end of last month.
Thirty-three people, all foreigners, died in the plane crash and their remains have been repatriated to Angola, Mozambique, and China.
Sources:
http://www.namibian.com.na
http://www.informante.web.na
NTSB Identification: DCA14RA018
Accident occurred Saturday, November 30, 2013 in Rundu, Namibia
Aircraft: EMBRAER ERJ190 - UNDESIGNAT, registration:
Injuries: 33 Fatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. The foreign authority was the source of this information.
The Namibia Ministry of Works and Transport (MWT) has notified the NTSB of an accident involving an Embraer ERJ-190 that occurred on November 30, 2013. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the MWT investigation under the provisions of ICAO Annex 13 as the State of Manufacturer and Design of the engines.
All investigative information will be released by the MWT.
Embraer ERJ 190-100 IGW, Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique LAM, C9-EMC
Masks for extra precaution were used to protect against carbon fiber. (Below) Cowboy’s 4 x 4 truck transporting the debris from site.
Photos contributed
