Kalistan

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New Chancellor releases report on fatal Plane Crash
Ruled "Accident due to weather"; Pilot absolved of any suspicion
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
April 4, 5631


Chancellor of the Empire, Carlos Alvarez releases report of Crash Investigation

The new Chancellor of the Empire, Carlos Alvarez has released the official final report covering the investigation into what caused the fatal plane crash that killed Emperor Fredrick III Ananto, former Chancellor David Levine, the pilot, and members of the Chancellor's Staff last November.  He made the announcements at the National Assembly this week.

"The investigation into the causes of the plane crash indicate that not only were all instruments functioning correctly, but the pilot was in communication until he crashed with local towers, and was following normal procedures immediately before the crash," said Chancellor Alvarez.  "This fatal accident was ruled to be caused by weather, which obscured vision and interrupted flight control, as well as the terrain which obscured electronic altitude signaling from both the Santa Elga tower and the Lhasa tower which ultimately led to the crash that killed everybody aboard.  This was an unfortunate and tragic accident, but there is no suggestion that, under the circumstances, it could have been avoidable, given all the efforts taken on the part of the pilot and the ground crew to try to get the plan out safely."

The Chancellor said the investigation was able to immediately rule out any suggestion of conspiracy or espionage in the matter.  The Pilot the Chancellor's personal aircraft, in which the group was flying, and had served in that capacity for over a decade.  His loyalty to the Government was beyond reproach, and he had been given the opportunity to fly the Emperor on several occasions in the past all without incident of any kind.  He was also very experienced at his job, and had more than 25 years of flying experience under his belt with the plane lifted off at Eshar.

"There is no indication of any foul play involved," said the Chancellor.  "Nor was there any indication of any intoxication that could have otherwise been a factor.  The ground crew in Santa Elga said they found him to be lucid, completely responsive, and in constant communication with regard to the situation of the flight up until they lost communication at the time of the accident.  Nor did the flight recorder suggest any sort of erratic activities in the air that would indicate intoxication of any kind.  Therefore we have been able to completely rule out pilot error."

The investigation gave a report of a plane that flew into heavy fog over the mountains, along with strong downdrafts.  The light plane, which was designed for only six passengers, was reportedly forced downward at several points during the attempt to fly over the mountains.  "What became clear was that the ground was not visible during the flight, and due to obscuring of the landscape, electronic elevation signaling was not available," said the Chancellor.  "The plane was, however still sending transponder signals, and the pilot had radioed the Santa Elga tower for help in navigating over the mountains and to safety.  Santa Elga reported that the plane had gone off course, and that they should make an attempt to gain altitude and possibly fly out of the fog, but the pilot reported that he could feel the down drafts of the storm pushing his plane down and making it unsafe to attempt to gain altitude.  At this point, the tower lost radio contact with the plane and it was later confirmed that at this point, the plane had hit the side of a mountain, killing everyone on board."  The emergency, between the time when the pilot lost sight of the ground and when the plane crashed lasted just under 10 minutes, said the Chancellor.

Flights have been resumed to Lhasa Airport, and the Duchy of Nevaras has reportedly begun investing money in a signal network that can radio altitude information to planes flying over the mountains in a situation like this.  "The Duchy's goal is to improve safety through the Odufaray Range and other mountains bordering the Duchy," said the Chancellor, and added that a system like this already exists in Vrassa, but likely may become nation wide, especially to benefit small craft like the plane the the former Chancellor's.  "Had that system been in place, they might have been saved," said Chancellor of the Empire Alvarez.  He then took questions from reporters for about a half hour, mostly on the report.

@TheRepublic