South Sudan leader grounds Supreme Airlines after L-410 crash

South Sudan’s leader has ordered the suspension of local operator South Sudan Supreme Airlines after the fatal crash of a Let L-410 turboprop. President Salva Kiir Mayardit says he is directing the ministry of transport and the civil aviation authority to “suspend” the carrier’s operations. “This measure is necessary for these institutions to ascertain airworthiness of the remaining South Supreme [aircraft],” he says. “It is also a necessary step to restoring public confidence in air travel in the country.” He says the aircraft came down in Urot county, Jonglei state, on 2 March. The president says the suspension is a “temporary measure” to address “avoidable air accidents” before civil aviation laws are “strengthened”. Jonglei state’s government says 10 fatalities resulted from the accident.<br/>