Air Crash SA 252

In July 2009 an Air South Africa Boeing 777-300 declares an emergency shortly after taking-off from Cape Town International Airport in typical Cape winter storm conditions. During an attempt to return to the Airport for an emergency landing, the airliner crashes into the poverty stricken suburb of Gugulethu. All on board, and hundreds on the ground are killed. Many more are seriously injured in the jet-fuel firestorm which whips through the suburb.

A year later, the South African National Aviation Board’s (NAB) long awaited report into the cause of the crash is delayed again amidst rumours that the NAB’s investigation team bitterly disagree with the conclusions allegedly reached by the investigation team sent by the American NTSB. Speculation is rife that the atmosphere between the two teams has become distrustful and toxic.

Bella Omondi, a mother of three, who lost her husband, the family breadwinner, as a result of the crash, chances upon information that someone high up in ASA may be hiding something. She requires an attorney with sufficient aviation knowledge to investigate the merits of a potential case for damages. After hearing about a person the media refer to as “the flying lawyer”, she seeks him out.