The International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA) has cautioned against speculation about the cause of the crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 from Addis Ababa to Nairobi on Sunday 10th March.

IALPA, a branch of Fórsa, is a member of the federation.

UN aid worker and engineer Michael (Mick) Ryan, from Lahinch Co Clare, was killed in the crash, which claimed 157 lives.

In its statement, IFALPA said: “The Federation has reached out to the Ethiopian Air Line Pilots’ Association and will offer the advice and assistance of accident investigation experts familiar with the B737 Max aircraft to the Ethiopian Accident Investigation Agency.”

IALPA consistently advises that the same approach be taken following all major air accidents. Pilots say air accident investigators need to be allowed to gather all the facts and complete an investigation.

Precautionary ban

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) decided to temporarily suspend the operation of all variants of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft into and out of Irish airspace.

The IAA’s decision, described as a precautionary measure, was made taking account of the unprecedented loss of two of the aircrafts in recent months.

The Indonesian Lion Air flight 610 crashed on 29th October 2018, killing 189 people.  

The UK aviation authority, the US and a number of international airlines also grounded the 737 Max planes. Boeing then decided to pull its entire 737 fleet worldwide.