NANJING: Civil aviation experts are calling for improved monitoring of private flying clubs after two people died in a light aircraft crash in East China's Jiangsu Province on Monday.

One other person on-board was seriously injured.

The aircraft was unlicensed and the flight itself had not been approved, according to a report released on Tuesday by an investigation team made up of staff from the East China Branch of the General Administration of Civil Aviation, the local government and the local bureau of public security

Zhang Fa, an engineer with the administration, said strict annual examinations should be conducted on flying clubs to ensure they are abiding by regulations.

He added: "Although the number of airplanes possessed by people or clubs is still not huge in the country, some of them take great risks in conducting flights.

"Some do not stick to flight regulations set by aviation departments."

The aircraft involved in the crash was being piloted by Ye Yong, owner of the Suqian-based Yonghua Flying Club. He was one of the fatal casualties and had borrowed the airplane from a private owner in Puyang in Central China's Henan Province.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Regulations issued by the General Administration of Civil Aviation in 2004 state that private clubs need at least 1 million yuan (US$125,000) registered capital and at least three light airplanes.

In addition, the club should also be equipped with ground aviation facilities, including GPS positioning systems and weather service facilities.

The person in charge of such clubs should have worked in the aviation industry for at least three years.

The country lifted a ban on private aviation in 2003.

(China Daily 05/11/2006 page3)