Investigation results point to crew error

Freedom New Mexico

Human error was ruled in a November crash involving a Cannon Air Force Base crew and aircraft in Mali.

According to information from the Air Force Association, and confirmed by the public affairs office of Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Fla., an aircrew from Cannon’s 524th Special Operations Squadron failed to refuel its DHC-8/Q200 transport.

The plane, valued at $7 million, was being used in a mission from Nouakchott, Mauritania, to Bamako Mali, on Nov. 19, 2009.

According to a report from the Air Force Association, one of the six passengers suffered severe injuries and the crew, along with the other passengers, suffered at least minor injuries.

The plane was a total loss.

Don Arias of AFSOC’s public affairs office said information about the crew’s condition was not available, and there is no word on if or how the crew will be disciplined.

“The investigation is complete,” Arias said. “The disposition of the crew is not. The decisions haven’t been made on what their fates may be.”

The report was not filed as of Friday afternoon on the Air Force’s Accident Investigation Boards Web site.