A Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) investigation has found negligence and disregard for safety procedures behind last week’s accident at the Haj Terminal at King Abdul Aziz International Airport.
Nepalese driver Shailendra Kumar of the Saudi Machinery for Land Services had left his truck unattended, with the engine running and in gear when it slammed into the terminal, killing two Iranian women and injuring six others last Thursday.
The CAA studied documented evidence, including videotapes, testing of the Saudi Land Service Machinery and medical tests of Kumar. Investigators determined the main cause of the accident was driver negligence.
The driver failed to follow correct procedures and apply the necessary safety rules when he filled the airplane with water. This led him to losing control of the vehicle, which surged forward and collided with a passenger bridge before striking the terminal.
The CAA said it found no other causes for the accident.
Three of the injured left yesterday for their country after they were discharged from hospital. The fourth person was moved from the ICU to complete treatment and follow up after recovering.
Saudi Arabian Airlines paid all treatment expenses and arranged for all casualties and their escorts to travel to their countries. It also took care of transporting the bodies of the victims.
Prince Fahd bin Abdullah, head of the Civil Aviation Authority, ordered a comprehensive review of safety procedures and a thorough inspection of the Saudi Company for Land Services and other service providers inside aviation yards.
The management of King Abdul Aziz International Airport, in cooperation with the operating company for Haj complexes, erected temporary roadblocks and protective road bumps in front of the halls that overlook the ground floor. It will redesign these halls and provide them with the necessary scaffolding that will provide needed external protection for passengers.
Driver negligence behind Haj Terminal accident
