AVIATION/ SACAA REPORTS ON SA AIRLINK FL8625

The South African Civil Aviation Authority, SACAA, has released its 1st interim report into the crash landing of SA AIRLINK Flight 8625, earlier this month in George, South Africa. On December 7, 2009, Flight 8625 was on Domestic ERJ135 Service from Cape Town to George, with 30 passengers and 3 crew members onboard. The interim report states that at the time of the crash, it was daylight with light rain falling. The ERJ touched down in the area of the 4th landing marker. At the end of the runway, the airliner veered to the right and went past the ILS localizer. The aircraft then collided with 11 approach lights before it burst through the aerodrome perimeter fence, with the aircraft coming to rest in a nose down attitude on a public road. 10 people were treated and released for minor injuries from a local hospital. The ERJ suffered substantial damages in the incident and has been written off. The report does note that that the passenger cabin remained intact, which assisted in only minor injuries being reported. The investigation continues.