ALAN FINLAY, Johannesburg | Wednesday 9.50am.
DRAMATIC new evidence released by a United States laboratory proves that the ill-fated Helderberg, which went down just off Mauritius on November 28 1987, killing 159 people, was carrying a “deadly” cargo.
The evidence, which has been released by the Forensic Audio Laboratory in the US, has been obtained from the Helderberg’s black box using technology not available in South Africa.
If it is proved to be correct, the families of the victims who died in the crash could sue South African Airways for millions.
The Beeld reports that the Civil Aviation Authority was informed of the the new developments late on Tuesday, and has launched an immediate investigation. The CAA’s George Uriesi said the authority will probably send an investigator to the US to listen to the new evidence.
In the investigation shortly after the crash, 21 minutes of audio from the black box could not be submitted because it was inaudible.
Using its technology, FAL has been able to decipher nine minutes of the 21 minutes.
According to the new evidence, flight captain Dawie Uys informs a cabin attendent that a “deadly” cargo is being carried on the plane. At another point an attendent comments that it is “madness” that the cargo is on board.
In the US the FAL is considered one of its foremost forensic laboratories and is contracted to the US department of justice.