Even though investigations in last week’s airplane crash at Kigali International Airport are yet to be concluded, Rwandair CEO Gerald Zirimwabagabo has categorically denied that the craft was substandard. “Rwandair aspires to meet the highest standards,” he said.

Rwandair CEO Gerald Zirimwabagabo (photo Timothy Kisambira)

For reasons yet unknown, the airplane suddenly veered off to the right and smashed into the VIP building at high-speed. The ten passengers and five crew members were rushed to the hospital, where one passenger identified as Ezra Nyirangongoro died of his injuries. All other passengers except one were quickly discharges, and the three cockpit crew also remained in hospital mainly with broken bones.

Even though formal investigations into the accident have yet to start, Rwandair CEO Gerald Zirimwabagabo told The Rwanda Focus that the plane (a Bombardier-manufactured 50-seater Canadian Regional Jet -100 series) had undergone all the required maintenance. He pointed out that that the aircraft, which was leased from a Kenya-based company, Jetlink Express, was checked thoroughly before taking off and a 3000-hour maintenance check had been done two days before.

He also dismissed allegations that Jetlink Express uses substandard aircrafts. “Rwandair aspires to meet the highest standards, and it has confirmed that Jetlink is a registered company with suitable standards. We have checked their record as well as their maintenance capacity, and the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA) has safety engineers who check whenever an aircraft lands.”

Nevertheless, Rwandair has for the time being suspended all operations with the Jetlink CRJ aircrafts while awaiting the outcome of the investigations. This might, according to a press release from the airline company, affect its flights to Johannesburg and Nairobi.

Rwandair’s acting chief operations officer, Jack Ekl, for his part pointed out that the problem apparently developed in the engine, but added that since the captain is still in hospital with a broken leg and has not yet been able to explain what happened, any speculation would be premature.

The official investigation into the accident is ongoing. It is headed by Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) because it licensed the aircraft, and supported by RCAA since the accident happened at Kigali International Airport. Rwandair has also requested the involvement of the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) as a neutral party to help with the investigations.

Meanwhile, operations at the airport have not been disrupted, despite the damage done to the VIP lounge. The crashed airplane was towed away hours after the accident, and the damaged building in has already undergone emergency repair.

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