A Welsh geologist was killed along with 65 others when the plane he was travelling on plunged into the sea following a fire in the cockpit, an inquest has concluded. Richard Osman, who was born and brought up in Carmarthen, was on EgyptAir flight MS804 when itvanished in May 2016. The 40-year-old was travelling from Paris to Cairo, where he was due to spend a few days on business, when the plane plunged into the Mediterranean. An inquest hearing in Llanelli on Friday, which recorded a narrative conclusion, heard how flames fuelled by an oxygen leak "took hold" of the aircraft, causing electrical failures which saw the pilots lose control prior to descent. Mr Osman, who held a masters degree in mining geology, had boarded the plane on the evening of 18 May 2016 for a business trip. He was working and living in Jersey, with his wife Aurelie Vandeputte and their two young daughters, at the time of his death. Reading a victim impact statement at the hearing, Ms Vandeputte said her husband was a "charismatic yet humble young man" who loved rugby and running and was "proud of his Welsh-Egyptian background". She described Mr Osman as "autonomous and self-driven", known for his "sense of humour, generosity and openness" and close to his family. She added he was "respected by all" within the mining industry, with a scholarship created by his peers in his memory. The couple had led a "global" life, living in Paris, Brussels, London, Athens and Egypt before settling in Jersey. Their daughters - now aged 11 and nine - were two years and 22 days old respectively at the time of their father's death. Ms Vandeputte said she received no formal, face-to-face notification of her husband's death, and was left with no news for long periods of time, left as the sole parent of two young children to nurse "irreparable wounds". "It was survival for many years… [now] I will hopefully be able to begin a new chapter," she said. Mr Osman was one of four children and, in a statement read in court, his younger sister Anna said she "looked up to and loved" him "with all my heart". "My thirties were engulfed with grief… it's a weight I will carry with me for the rest of my life," she said. The people on board the plane were made up of 59 passengers, two flight crew and five cabin attendants and there were no survivors. The night-time flight went missing after it entered Greek airspace, and crashed at one of the deepest areas of the Mediterranean sea - more than 3,000m (9,800ft) in some parts. Wreckage and life jackets were found230 miles (370km) south of the Greek island of Crete. Smoke had been detected in the toilet and the avionics area, which contained the aircraft's electronics and computer below the cockpit. Aviation expert Kenneth Fairbank told the hearing the aircraft had been properly maintained and the crew on board had sufficient experience. He said a cockpit recording device picked up a hissing sound, followed by a popping sound and then the crew announced the fire - all in the space of a few seconds. Shortly after, there were "multiple computer equipment failures" due to "a lot of the electrical connectors [being located] in an area of the flight deck that was affected by the fire", he said. Mr Fairbank explained there were "conflicting reports" regarding the cause of the fire. The Egyptian air accident investigation report concluded there was a "detonation of an explosive device secreted in the forward galley", the area just behind the cockpit. But the French investigation reported it was instead likely the fire started in an oxygen mask storage box within the cockpit. Mr Fairbank said he believed "the weight of the evidence does not support an on-board explosion". He added that, while the fire ignition source was unknown, "it certainly does seem to be an oxygen-fed fire". He added the aircraft flew for more than 13 minutes following the hissing noise and there was "lack of transparency" around reported traces of explosives found. "It is clear that a fire ignited and took hold of the aircraft… [which] maneuvered and descended in an uncontrolled manner," he said. "In this scenario, it would not have been possible to fight the fire." Addressing some media reports, which included a suggestion that a pilot smoking in the cockpit caused the fire, Mr Fairbank said there was "no evidence" of this, adding he believed the theory to be "solely based on the fact that Egyptian aircraft pilots were known to be able to smoke a that time". He also disputed a separate suggestion that the release valve on the oxygen tank had been left in the emergency position by maintenance staff, leading to the oxygen leak, saying while the mask had been recently replaced, the aircraft had flown nine times between then and the crash. Assistant coroner Mark Layton recorded a narrative conclusion, saying he "fully accepts" that "on the balance of probabilities" the crash was caused by a fire of unknown ignition source but likely fuelled, if not also started, by the oxygen tank unit. He gave his condolences to Mr Osman's family and said work would now begin on a prevention of future deaths report, reflecting safety recommendations highlighted in both the French and Egyptian investigation reports.
Cockpit fire caused EgyptAir crash that killed Welshman
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Inquest Reveals Cockpit Fire as Cause of EgyptAir Flight MS804 Crash"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
An inquest has concluded that a cockpit fire caused the crash of EgyptAir flight MS804, resulting in the deaths of a Welsh geologist, Richard Osman, and 65 others on board. The incident occurred in May 2016 when the aircraft, en route from Paris to Cairo, suddenly plunged into the Mediterranean Sea. During the inquest held in Llanelli, it was revealed that an oxygen leak led to flames that rapidly spread in the cockpit, ultimately causing electrical failures that rendered the pilots unable to regain control of the aircraft. Richard Osman, a 40-year-old geologist from Carmarthen, was traveling for business and was remembered by his wife, Aurelie Vandeputte, as a charismatic individual who deeply valued his family and heritage. She highlighted the impact of his death, describing the challenges of raising their two young daughters alone and the emotional toll it took on her life.
The inquest also detailed the tragic circumstances surrounding the flight's disappearance after entering Greek airspace. The investigation uncovered conflicting reports regarding the cause of the fire, with the Egyptian report suggesting a potential explosive device, while the French report indicated the possibility of a fire starting from the oxygen mask storage box in the cockpit. Kenneth Fairbank, an aviation expert, stated that the evidence supports the idea of an oxygen-fed fire, and he dismissed the theory that a pilot smoking caused the incident due to a lack of supporting evidence. The assistant coroner recorded a narrative conclusion, affirming that the crash was likely caused by a fire of unknown origin, exacerbated by the oxygen tank. The inquest's findings aim to inform safety recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future, reflecting the significant loss felt by the victims' families and the need for improved aviation safety protocols.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The news article sheds light on the tragic circumstances surrounding the EgyptAir flight MS804 crash, emphasizing the personal loss experienced by Richard Osman's family and the technical failures that led to the disaster. This narrative not only recounts the events of the incident but also humanizes the victim by sharing intimate details about his life, family, and impact on his community.
Purpose of the Article
The primary intent of this article appears to be to inform the public about the findings of the inquest into the crash. By detailing the technical aspects of the fire caused by an oxygen leak and the subsequent loss of control by the pilots, the article seeks to provide clarity on the incident. Furthermore, recounting the personal story of Richard Osman and his family's grief aims to evoke empathy and understanding from the audience, highlighting the human cost of such tragedies.
Public Perception
The article likely aims to shape public perception regarding aviation safety and the emotional toll of aviation disasters on families. By focusing on Mr. Osman’s contributions to the mining industry and his family's struggles, it fosters a deeper connection with readers, potentially rallying support for improved safety measures in aviation.
Hidden Agendas
While the article primarily focuses on the personal and technical aspects of the crash, it may also serve to redirect attention away from broader systemic issues in aviation safety regulations or oversight. By concentrating on the individual tragedy, the article may inadvertently downplay calls for larger reforms or accountability within the airline industry.
Trustworthiness of the Report
The information appears credible, relying on the findings of an official inquest and personal testimonies from family members. However, the emotional narrative could be perceived as manipulating the audience’s feelings, which may raise questions about the objectivity of the report.
Comparative Context
When viewed alongside other aviation disaster reports, this article maintains a focus on personal tragedy rather than technical analysis or industry critique. This approach may align with current media trends that favor human-interest stories, but it risks overlooking essential discussions about aviation safety protocols.
Potential Societal Impact
The article could influence public sentiment towards aviation safety and the need for regulatory changes, potentially impacting how airlines are perceived. This heightened awareness may encourage travelers to prioritize airlines that demonstrate strong safety records or to advocate for better safety regulations.
Target Audience
The narrative seems to resonate with communities that value personal stories and emotional connections, such as those affected by similar tragedies or individuals in the scientific and engineering fields who may find the technical aspects engaging.
Market Influence
In terms of market implications, while this specific incident may not directly affect stock prices, it could lead to increased scrutiny of airlines, potentially impacting investor confidence in companies with less favorable safety records.
Global Power Dynamics
Although the article does not explicitly address geopolitical implications, the crash of an international flight can raise broader discussions about aviation safety standards on a global scale, particularly in regions with varying enforcement of safety regulations.
Use of AI in Reporting
There is no clear indication that AI was utilized in crafting this article. However, if AI were employed, it might have been used to analyze data patterns or generate content based on existing reports. The human storytelling aspect, particularly the emotional testimonies, suggests a more traditional journalistic approach rather than one heavily influenced by AI.
In conclusion, while the article provides a poignant recounting of a personal tragedy and some technical details about the crash, it serves a dual purpose of informing the public and generating empathy. The emotional depth adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, which may influence how readers perceive aviation safety issues.