South Sudan bans old planes from airspace as measure to curb accidents

JUBA, April 6– South Sudan on Friday said old planes spanning 20 years of service will no longer be involved in transporting people in a bid to minimize plane accidents.
Michael Makuei Lueth, minister of information, told journalists, the government has come up with strong measures that will put planes and pilots under rigorous scrutiny by the South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority in order to reduce the wave of plane accidents that have been occurring in the past.
“Antonov planes flying in South Sudan will no longer transport people but only transport cargo. It is decided that all Antonov (planes) which are 20 years old or more should not carry people,” said Makuei in Juba after the end of cabinet meeting.
In early September of 2018, an Antonov plane crashed into Yirol Lake in the central region of South Sudan leaving 19 people dead.
The government said it has completed the investigation report on that crash and added that the survivors will launch claims for compensation from the company that operated the ill-fated plane.
“The Civil Aviation Authority should examine the status of all the planes and the pilots who are operating in South Sudan. It is worth mentioning that there are some planes which are not air worthy and some pilots who are not competent to fly but they are working here,” said Makuei.

Xinhua