Friday 22 May 2015

Accident Investigation Bureau Releases Report Identifying Causes of 4 Accidents on Nigerian Airspace

The Nigerian Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has released the final reports of the investigations carried out on four accidents that occurred within the Nigerian airspace.

 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.

Said Dr. Felix Abali, Commissioner/CEO: ‘At 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.’

The Beech 1900D registered as 5N-JAH and operated by Wings Aviation Limited as flight TWD 8300, which was on a revenue positioning flight on 15th March 2008 crashed at about 0920 hours in mountainous terrain at Bushi Village, Obalinku Local Government Area of Cross River State. The investigation identified two causal and three contributory factors and made five safety re commendations. The Bureau had on 29 March, 2009 issued an Interim Report on the accident.

The Bristow Helicopters’ Cessna Citation 560XLS, registered 5N-BMM 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 F light 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.

Details of these reports are available on the AIB website: www.aib.gov.ng

Accident Investigation Bureau is the government agency charged with the responsibility of investigating aircraft accidents and serious incidents with a view to determining their causes and make safety recommendations that can prevent future re-occurrence of similar incidents. The purpose of the investigations is not to apportion blame or liability but to enhance aviation safety.

All media enquiries should be directed to:

Tunji Oketunbi
Head, Public Affairs,
Tel: (+234) 8077090928
Email: oketunbi@yahoo.com

Image credit: telegraph.co.uk

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