French air accident investigators are set to be deployed at the scene of Sunday’s tragic plane crash in Bukoba to assist in the investigation of the Precision Air plane crash that killed at least 19 people.
A spokesperson for France’s BEA air accident investigation agency said on Monday that it was sending a team to Tanzania along with technical advisers from Franco-Italian planemaker ATR.
The plane, which crashed in Lake Victoria, was an ATR 42-500 turboprop made by the company.
Precision Air Flight PW494 crashed into the lake during storms and severe rain on its second attempt to make the ill-fated landing as it landed from Dar es Salaam.
According to specialists, the investigation into what happened could take months, according to Prime Minister Majaliwa.
According to international standards, the locally-led investigation would typically include participation from authorities in France, where the plane was conceived, and Canada, where its Pratt & Whitney engines were produced.
ATR stated that it was “completely committed to supporting the customer and the investigation.”
