Investigation begins into fatal crash of LAM regional jet

A team from Kenyon International, a global specialist disaster and emergency management organisation has also been called in by LAM Mozambique Airlines to assist in the search and recovery of the victims remains and personal possessions following the fatal crash of the Embraer 190 aircraft.
Flight TM 479 was bound for the Angolan capital, Luanda, after setting off from Maputo in Mozambique.
The airline said in a statement that the plane lost contact with air traffic controllers on Friday afternoon.
LAM said there were 27 passengers and six crew on board. It said the 33 included 10 Mozambicans, nine Angolans, five Portuguese, one French national, one Brazilian and one Chinese.
The airline said: “It is with great sorry and regret that LAM Mozambique Airlines confirms the tragic loss of LAM flight TM470. We received confirmation from the Namibian Civil Aviation Authority that the search party and its inspectors have located and identified the aircraft wreckage at a site in northern Namibia.
“At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the passengers and crew who were onboard the aircraft and it is their well-being and taking care of their immediate needs that is and must take priority.”
LAM established family liaison centres at Maputo and Luanda airports, staffed with professional counsellors in addition to leaders of various faiths representing the religions of the people concerned.
The aircraft was an Embraer 190, with the Mozambique registration C9-EMC. The 93-seat regional jet was manufactured in Brazil and was powered by two General Electric CF34-10 turbofan engines. It was delivered brand new from the factory and entered service with LAM on 17 November 2012. Until Friday, the aircraft had logged 2m905 flights hours in 1,877 flights. The crew comprised of two pilots, three cabin attendants and a technician.