A deep bow apology lasting 30 seconds – TransAsia CEO Chen Xinde: “We apologize to the public”

▲ This is the first time TransAsia has offered a bowing apology regarding the flight accident. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ruizhong, the same below)

Reported by Reporter Chen Ruizhong / Taipei

TransAsia Airways was involved in the GE235 flight crash into the Keelung River today (February 4). By 14:00, it was known that 13 passengers had died. At 15:00, TransAsia CEO Chen Xinde led the company’s top management in holding a press conference at the Civil Aeronautics Administration, where he bowed deeply for half a minute to offer an apology to the entire public.

Chen Xinde stated that he deeply regrets the accident. TransAsia will do everything possible to assist with rescue and aftermath efforts, as well as support the Civil Aeronautics Administration and the Aviation Safety Council in their investigation. The company’s chairman, Lin Mingyue, who is currently on a business trip abroad, will also return to Taiwan as soon as possible.

▲ The scene of the TransAsia air crash.

Regarding the crash involving the ATR72-600 aircraft, Chen Xinde explained that this particular plane was a new aircraft received on April 14, 2014. During the handover process, there was an abnormality detected in engine No. 1, but it was replaced with a brand-new engine by the manufacturer. Currently, the two engines on the aircraft have been in use for only about 800 and 1,000 hours respectively, and they underwent an A-level inspection as recently as January 26. Chen Xinde pointed out that the weather conditions today met takeoff and landing standards, so the actual cause of the crash still awaits the results of the aviation safety investigation.

▲ TransAsia CEO Chen Xinde.

According to information provided by TransAsia, the current death toll stands at 13, and injured passengers are being transported to several hospitals, including Tri-Service General Hospital Neihu Branch, for treatment. Among the 58 passengers on board, seven purchased tickets at the counter and boarded without providing contact details, so efforts are still underway to reach their families.

Chen Xinde also mentioned that after the incident, travel agencies have been contacting the families, and personnel have been dispatched from Fuzhou, Shanghai, and other places to Xiamen to assist the families of mainland passengers with follow-up matters. It is expected that the families will arrive in Taiwan tomorrow. Meanwhile, TransAsia has also set up a dedicated hotline for family services and inquiries (0800-719-988) to provide further assistance.

The aircraft involved in this crash is an ATR72-600. The aircraft involved in the previous Penghu air disaster was an ATR72-500. In response to questions from the public about whether ATR aircraft should be grounded, Chen Xinde said that this type of aircraft is widely used by many airlines, and whether TransAsia will ground them will depend on the investigation results of the Civil Aeronautics Administration and other aviation safety authorities.

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