[محمد احمد عسيري]

Crash: Ethiopian B38M near Bishoftu on Mar 10th 2019, impacted terrain after departure


An Ethiopian Boeing 737-8 MAX, registration ET-AVJ performing flight ET-302 from Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) to Nairobi (Kenya) with 149 passengers and 8 crew, departed Addis Ababa's runway 07R and was climbing out of Addis Ababa when the aircraft levelled off at about 9000 feet MSL, radar contact was lost shortly after at 08:44L (05:44Z). No survivors were found.

The airline reported rescue and recovery forces are on their way to the crash site near Bishoftu (Ethiopia) about 17nm southsoutheast of Addis Ababa. The aircraft had departed Addis Ababa at 08:38L, radio and radar contact with the aircraft was lost at 08:44L.

Ethiopia's states owned Broadcasting Corporation reported citing an unidentified spokesperson of Ethiopian Airlines, that no survivors have been found at the crash site. The aircraft carried citizens of 33 different countries.

At 13:21L (11:21Z) Ethiopian Airlines reported they deeply regret the fatal accident involving ET-302. Their CEO just having arrived at the crash site regrets there have been no survivors and released a photo showing the CEO at an impact crater at the crash site.

In a subsequent press conference on Mar 10th 2019 Ethiopian Airlines reported the crew reported difficulties and requested a return to Addis Ababa. The captain was with Ethiopian Airlines for 9 years and had about 8000 hours of flight experience, a first officer with 200 flight hours assisted, there were 35 nationalities amongst the 149 passengers. The crash site appears to be consistent with a steep dive, the aircraft is right inside the ground. The aircraft had undergone last "rigorous first check maintenance" on Feb 4th 2019. The aircraft had last operated to and from Johannesburg (South Africa) arriving back in Addis Ababa in the morning of Mar 10th 2019 before departing for the accident flight.

Ethiopia's Prime Minister expressed his deep condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.

The last transponder data were received from position N9.027 E39.153 about 21nm east of Addis Ababa at FL086. Terrain elevation at that point is 8130 feet MSL, FL086 reported by the Mode-S Altimeter (which always measures to standard pressure 1013 QNH) corrected for QNH indicates the aircraft was flying at 9027 feet MSL at that position.

Boeing stated with respect to flight ET-302 on Mar 10th 2019: "Boeing is aware of reports of an airplane accident and is closely monitoring the situation." At about 11:25Z Boeing followed up: "Boeing is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the passengers and crew on Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, a 737 MAX 8 airplane. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families and loved ones of the passengers and crew on board and stand ready to support the Ethiopian Airlines team. A Boeing technical team is prepared to provide technical assistance at the request and under the direction of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board."

Metars:
HAAB 100600Z 07010KT 9999 FEW025 18/09 Q1029=
HAAB 100500Z 06008KT 9999 FEW025 16/10 Q1029=
HAAB 100400Z 06008KT 9999 FEW025 13/11 Q1028=
HAAB 100300Z 07004KT 9999 FEW025 13/11 Q1028=
HAAB 100100Z 09006KT 9999 FEW025 13/11 Q1027

Works at the crash site (Photo: APA/AFP/Michael Twelde):


CEO of Ethiopian Airlines at the crash site (Photo: Ethiopian Airlines):


Map (Graphics: AVH/Google Earth):

https://avherald.com/h?article=4c534c4a&opt=0