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Rh the UK and the USA, and three members, including the Chairman, from the RSA. The members from Japan, the Republic of China and Mauritius, were appointed by their respective governments. The members of the Board, by name, were Mr Justice C S Margo, DSO, DFC, FRAeS, of the RSA, (Chairman), Mr Justice H Goburdhun, of Mauritius, Mr George N Tompkins Junior, of the USA, Mr G C Wilkinson, CBE, FRAeS, of the UK, Dr Y Funatsu, of ANA, Japan, Mr J J S Germishuys, of the RSA, Dr J Gilliland, of the RSA, and Colonel Liang Lung, of the Republic of China.

1. FACTUAL INFORMATION

1.1 History of the Flight

On November 27th 1987 flight SA 295 was scheduled to depart from Taipei's Chiang Kai Shek Airport at 13:00 for Mauritius' Plaisance Airport on a scheduled international air transport service. Due to adverse weather and the late arrival of a connecting flight the departure time was delayed and the aeroplane took off at 14:23 with 149 000 kg of fuel, 43 225 kg of baggage and cargo, 140 passengers and a crew comprising 5 flight crew members (including an extra co-pilot and an extra flight engineer) and 14 cabin crew members. The calculated flight time was 10 hours 14 minutes. According to the tape recording of the radio communication with Taipei Approach Control the take-off was normal in all respects. At