The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has released the final reports of the investigations carried out on four accidents that occurred within the Nigerian airspace, Six years after the aviation industry witnessed series of helicopters and plane crashes.
The final reports include that of Beechcraft 1900D with registration 5N-JAH belonging to Wings Aviation Services Air, Cessna Citation 560XLS with registration 5N-BMM belonging to Bristow Helicopters, Boeing 737-500 with registration 5N-BLE belonging to Aero Contractors and AS 350 B2 with registration 5N-BHU belonging to OAS Limited.
Commissioner/CEO, Dr Felix Abali, said the agency is committed to enhancing aviation safety by conducting thorough and unbiased investigation into aircraft accidents and serious incidents.
“The Accident Investigation Bureau we are committed to enhancing aviation safety by conducting thorough and unbiased investigations into aircraft accidents and serious incidents. We are currently working hard to release more accident reports in the shortest possible time.”
According to the agency, the Beech 1900D registered as 5N-JAH and operated by Wings Aviation Limited as flight TWD 8300, was on a revenue positioning flight on 15th March 2008 when it crashed at about 0920 hours in mountainous terrain at Bushi Village, Obalinku Local Government Area of Cross River State.
He said the investigation identified two causal and three contributory factors and made five safety recommendations. The Bureau had on 29 March, 2009 issued an Interim Report on the accident.
Abali stated also that the Bristow Helicopters’ Cessna Citation 560XLS, registered 5N-BMM wghich departed Lagos at 1856 hours for Port Harcourt on an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and estimated Port Harcourt at 1940 hours. “On final approach the crew had visual challenge but continued the approach, crash landed and exited the runway. The investigation identified one Causal and three contributory factors. Six safety recommendations were made.”
“Aero Contractors Flight 210, a Boeing 737-500, registered 5N-BLE, which departed Lagos on 21st of August, 2010, skidded off the threshold of Runway 28 while landing on approach into Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos, Plateau State. The investigation identified one causal and three contributory factors. Two safety recommendations were made.”
“The OAS Limited aircraft 5N-BHU (Helicopter) departed Lagos at 0713 hours on 10th November, 2010 under Special Visual Flight Rules (Special VFR). The helicopter could not continue the flight to Port Harcourt due to bad weather and was returning to Osubi airstrip when it collided with high tension cables belonging to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) located along the road to Delta Steel Company, Ovwian, Aladja, Delta State. The investigation identified one causal and two contributory factors while five safety recommendations were made.”
The AIB commissioner affirm that the purpose of the investigation was not to apportion blame or liability but to enhance aviation safety.
