Mon, Aug 22, 2005
Problems With Cabin Pressure May Have Led To Mishap
By ANN Contributor Nathan Morley
The doomed Cypriot Helios Airways plane that crashed in Athens
eight days ago ran out of fuel and suffered a loss of cabin
pressure. So say Greek investigators still poring over the
wreckage.
The crash killed 121 people on board the Boeing 737-300 when the
aircraft, travelling from Larnaca, Cyprus, crashed into a hillside
approximately 40 km north of Athens on August 14th.
A report on state run Greek TV said a preliminary report into
the crash had been presented to the Greek Ministry of Transport by
chief investigator Akrivos Tsolakis.
Autopsies have been conducted on all 118 bodies found at the
crash site. But three bodies, including the German captain's remain
missing. Coroners say passengers on the Helios Airways Boeing 737
were alive -- though possibly unconscious -- when it crashed.
According to the Cyprus News Agency
the results of additional forensic examinations will be announced
Wednesday. They will determine whether the passengers and crew had
inhaled any toxic fumes during the flight, although carbon monoxide
poisoning has been ruled out.
Helios Airways continues to fly to and from UK airports, using
hired planes from other carriers. But passengers are forced to
endure lengthy delays to its schedules. One Cypriot radio station
is reporting that Dublin-bound tourists have been stranded at
Larnaca airport for 38 hours.
As ANN reported last week, a Helios pilot reported trouble with
his flaps. the plane was, however, able to land safely at
Birmingham.
Last week another Helios plane en route for London
Luton airport was diverted to nearby Stansted airport where it
landed safely after the crew again reported a flaps
problem.
(Nathan Morley reports for Aya Napa Radio in Cyprus and has been
a long-time contributor to Aero-News)
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