The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Accident Investigation Bureau ( AIB)

  • Why we must investigate accidents, by AIB

    The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has explained why it must investigate air accidents and serious incidents.

    AIB was reacting to a publication attributed to Mr. Angus Ozoka in which he allegedly engaged in an unwarranted attack on the agency.

    Its General Manager, Public Affairs Tunji Oketunbi, in a statement on Thursday, said Ozoka, while reacting to a statement issued by the bureau, warned airlines against not notifying AIB of the occurrence of air accidents and serious incidents.

    The statement reads: “The Bureau had resolved not to engage in a public debate with anybody on the statement it issued. However, AIB is constrained to respond to Mr. Ozoka because of certain misleading information in his said publication, which if not corrected, has the potentials to misinform the public.

    “The entire write up is a sad cocktail of ignorance, self-contradictions, confusion and/or outright mischief that can threaten air safety.

    “The Bureau had issued a statement which among other things, expressed displeasure over Air Peace conspiracy of silence in respect of the serious incident involving one of its Boeing 737 aircraft that experienced a hard landing in Lagos; inflicting it with damage and rendering the aircraft unserviceable.”

    Read Also: Air Peace faults AIB on mandatory occurrence report

    “An excerpt of the press statement said: A damage assessment on the aircraft by AIB revealed that the aircraft made contact on the runway with the starboard engine cowling as obvious from various scrapes, scratches and dents, an evidence of tyre scouring on the sidewalls of the No. 4 tyre as well as bottoming of the main landing gear oleo struts. There was also visible damage to the right-hand engine compressor blades.”

    “Drawing from the above excerpt, Ozoka, author of the write up, claimed that, “the damage assessment by AIB did not reveal that an accident or serious incident occurred as Hard Landing does not equate to an accident or serious incident”.

    “How far from the truth this submission portends? It either reveals ignorance of the author or suggests outright mischief. In response thereto, it would do the author some good if he can please visit the AIB website, download and painstakingly read and digest the AIB’s Regulation – Nigeria Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations 2016, now in 2019 Official Gazette.

    “Air Peace has formally notified AIB on the serious incident and is fully cooperating with our safety investigators,” the statement added.

     

     

  • Late Taraba gov. not competent to fly crashed airplane – AIB

    Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) on Thursday released six final accident reports involving the crash that involved late Taraba State Governor, Danbaba Suntai; who the bureau said was not competent to fly the ill- fated Cessna 208B that crashed on October 25, 2012.

    The other final reports involved Delta Airlines Airbus A330- 223 on February 13, 2018 and Bristow Helicopters Sirkorsky S76C6 +, which crashed on February 3, 2016.

    Others involved a Diamond DA40D aircraft operated by International Aviation College in Ilorin and a GulfStream G200 aircraft operated by Nestoil Plc.

    Speaking at a briefing at its headquarters in Lagos, AIB Chief Executive Officer, Akin Olateru said accident reports are not meant to be punitive.

    He said though the bureau could not conclusively determine the cause of the crash involving the late Taraba governor, but hinted that Suntai as pilot of the ill-fated airplane was not certified, qualified and competent to fly the aircraft.

    Olateru said the decision of Suntai to operate a Visual Flight a Rules (VFR) flight after sunset was inconsistent with aviation regulations.

    The AIB boss fingered the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for its inadequate oversight duties as a regulator, because the ill- fated Cessna aircraft was not in NCAA registry.

    Olateru said the ill- fated aircraft does not have any maintenance record in any Aircraft Maintenance Organization (AMO).

    The report made two safety recommendations urging Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to take appropriate action to relocate the existing control tower at Yola Airport in order to enhance the aerial view of the approach path runway 35 from the tower.

    The report said the NCAA should ensure all pertinent regulations with regards to the operations of the aircraft and certification of all relevant personnel and facilities of the Ministry of Works and Transport, Taraba State government are appropriately complied with.

    Read Also: Shaibu calls for increased funding of army

    The AIB said its findings concerning Suntai’s crash revealed that: “The pilot was not qualified to fly Cessna 172 and had total logged flying hours of fifty eight hours forty minutes.

    The pilot had no relevant endorsement to fit Cessna Caravan 208B. The pilot does not have instrument ratings and night flight privileges.

    The pilot reported an incorrect estimated time of arrival at Yola Airport. The pilot reported the number of persons on board as six to the control tower as against four actual persons found after the accident.

    On the serious incident involving Delta Airlines Airbus A330-223, the AIB said its findings revealed that the aircraft engine caught fire due to fuel manifold cracking attributable to high vibratory stresses.

    It reads: ” An over temperature condition and localized fire within the number one engine cowling triggered a fire warning. The over temperature and fire were caused by ignition of fuel from a hairline crack on the fuel manifold supplying fuel nozzle one.”

    The AIB said it has issued safety recommendations to the National Transport Safety Bureau to consider informing the United States Federal Aviation Administration to issue an airworthiness directive and safety bulletin to the aircraft engineer manufacturer to address the fuel nozzle and fuel manifold modes.

    On the Bristow Helicopters Sikorsky S76C+ + crash, the AIB said the chopper crashed because the crew failed to adhere to company operations manual as it relates to after take-off checks.

    The AIB said the crew did not disengage the autopilot to fly the aircraft manually.

    It urged Bristow Helicopters to consider reviewing its procedure for terming crew back to flight duties after staying of duty for any period up to thirty days.

  • Fire engulfs Overland aircraft at Lagos Airport hangar 

    Fire engulfed a propeller aircraft – ATR 42 belonging to Overland Airways at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos on Friday.

    The source of the fire that burnt the aircraft is yet to be verified.

    Read Also:Overland Airways undergoes IATA Safety Audit

    Sources hinted that the fire damaged the engine of the aircraft and spread to other aircraft at the hangar.

    Spokesperson of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu confirmed the incident.

    She said fire fighters belonging to the authority have contained the inferno as the situation has been brought under control.

    Officials of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) are already investigating the fire incident.

    Management of Overland Airways will issue a statement shortly.

    Details later…

     

     

  • AIB, UNILAG partner on metallurgical lab usage

    The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on the use of its metallurgical laboratory at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.

    The spokesperson for AIB, Mr Tunji Oketunbi, said in a statement issued on Sunday that the MoU was signed recently by the parties in Lagos.

    The AIB Commissioner, Mr Akin Olateru signed on behalf of the agency while the UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, signed on behalf of the institution.

    Olateru said that the laboratory was to the benefit of Nigeria, students of higher institutions of learning and industries in the country.

    He said the establishment of the laboratory equipment in the country would save Nigeria huge capital flights, which would have been expended on air tickets, hotels and others by researchers.

    He noted that the agency had written to 12 higher institutions of learning on possible collaboration on the usage of the facility.

    The commissioner said unfortunately, only three universities; UNILAG, University of Ilorin, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, responded to its letters seeking for collaboration.

    He emphasised that the United States’ National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) partners with public and private organisations in the US and wondered why same could not be replicated in Nigeria.

    Olateru said: “I believe we can make this country great with collaborations. We need collaborations like this to help us add values to the country.

    “We actually wrote to 12 universities, but only three responded to our letters, which is very unfortunate.

    “This is why I want to thank your leadership for the signing of this MoU because it shows the efforts you are putting in place to increase the knowledge base of this great institution of learning.”

    He, however stressed that the AIB would not compel any organisation or institution to collaborate with it on the use of the equipment.

    Responding, Ogundipe said university education was about research, adding that UNILAG was a research-oriented institution.

    The VC said UNILAG would continue to collaborate with other universities and institutions across the country and beyond.

    He said the students of the university had been taking the centre stage in the country while at the international level; they had equally been making great impacts.

    Ogundipe said: “The direction of research now is about collaborations and networking.

    ” I am glad that we are starting this on a good note. I want to assure you that we will make maximum use of this with our students.

    ” Our intention is to make our students known locally and visible at the global stage and I am happy we are achieving that so far.

    “On our own, we will give this collaboration 100 per cent support it deserves.”

  • AIB fingers poor crew resource management as cause of Associated airlines crash

    Accident Investigation Bureau ( AIB ) on Wednesday attributed poor co- ordination between the two pilots that operated the ill – fated Associated Aviation October 3, 2013 as the cause of the crash saying the crew failed to implement principles of crew resource management.

    The AIB, while releasing the final accident report said the pilots should have aborted take – off the aircraft following indications from the aircraft that some components were not properly activated.

    Besides, the failings of the crew, it also fingered poor regulatory oversight duties by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA ) as another causal factor for the crash.

    Speaking yesterday at a briefing in Lagos , AIB , Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Akin Olateru apologized for the delay in the release of the accidents reports saying probe of  air accidents is not to indict any agency but to avoid reoccurrence.

    Olateru also fingered poor company as part of the cause of the crash.

    The Associated Aviation Embraer 120 aircraft with 20 passengers on board was conveying the remains of former Ondo State Governor, Chief Olusegun Agagu for burial in Akure.

    Besides, the Associated Aviation crash report, the AIB also released five final reports involving Bristow Helicopters , NCAT  trainer aircraft , Westlink Aviation and NAHCO loader and AeroContractors Aircraft .

    Olateru said since January 2017  the AIB, has released 16 accident reports.

  • Senate summons Sirika, others over air mishaps

    Senate summons Sirika, others over air mishaps

    The Senate Tuesday resolved to invite Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, to brief it on steps taken by his ministry to minimize air mishaps in the country.

    Apart from Sirika, who is mandated appear before the Senate in plenary, the upper chamber also invited heads of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and every other relevant agency in the aviation industry to give a full briefing on the steps that have been taken to minimise human errors and avoid preventable air crashes.

    The resolution followed the adoption of a motion on “The need to minimize the possibility of Air Mishaps and Near Fatalities in Nigeria,” sponsored by Senator Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East) and eight others.

    Ashafa in his lead debate prayed the Senate to observe that on the 20th of February, 2018 the story of a near fatal incident involving Dana Airlines with number 9J0363 hit the news waves.

    He noted that it was reported that the aircraft overshot the runway upon landing at the Port Harcourt Airport, on a flight from Abuja.

    He said that the incident was attributed to the wet surface of the runway

    Ashafa recalled that “just a few weeks before the afore stated event, there was also panic on Wednesday, 7th of February, 2018, when the emergency door of an aircraft conveying passengers to Abuja fell off upon landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe, International Airport in Abuja.”

    The Lagos East lawmaker said that he is aware that while the said aircraft was cleared to return to service on the same day by the relevant authorities the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), “an experienced pilot interviewed was of the opinion that the aircraft might have experienced a component failure.”

    He noted that report quoted the pilot to have said “What happened is likely to be a component failure due to hand landing. It couldn’t have fallen off when the aircraft was airborne because the aircraft cabin is pressurised. It is very difficult for that to happen but it could fall off when the aircraft is on the ground”;

    He expressed concern that “these recent occurrences might be a sign of a sequence of human errors, caused by the failure of  officials and staff of the agencies saddled with the responsibility of guaranteeing safety to carry out their due diligence before issuing clearance for aircrafts to operate within the Nigerian airspace.”

    Ashafa further recalled with sadness that Nigeria has experienced a significant number of air catastrophes that cost the lives of hundreds of Nigerians, due to a range of causes including human and technical error.

    He said that a chronicle of air mishaps caused by human error as reported  an article titled: Human errors, dereliction of duty are major causes of plane crashes in Nigeria, stated as follows: ”Avoidable human errors and dereliction of duty by public officials working in the aviation sector have been major reasons for the loss of hundreds of lives in air crashes in Nigeria, reports by the Aviation Investigation Bureau (AIB) have shown.”

    The report, he said, stated further that:”Some of the human errors identified by AIB as causes of the plane crashes include non-lightening of runways and airfields, poorly constructed drainage culverts, inaccurate information by the control tower, lack of proper certification of radio operators and poor supervision of aircraft imported into the country.”

    He stated with concern that “it is against this backdrop that it has now become imperative to move with speed and  alacrity in order to ensure that all relevant agencies in the Aviation industry do their work with excellence and minimal human error in order to prevent avoidable loss of human lives.”

    All senators who contributed to the motion agreed that urgent steps should be taken to fix the aviation section in the interest of the flying public.

    Read Also: Senate seeks immediate end to NASU strike

  • DANA Air passengers retrieve luggage from aircraft 

    DANA Air passengers retrieve luggage from aircraft 

    Fresh facts emerged on Thursday that the luggage of the 44 passengers that boarded the DANA Air MD 83 aircraft Flight 9J0363 from Abuja to Port Harcourt on Tuesday has been retrieved.

    The retrieve of the luggage a source close to the airline hinted came on the heels of complaints by some of the passengers who boarded the aircraft which overshot the runway of Port Harcourt Airport due to heavy rain.

    The source hinted that the Accident Investigation Bureau ( AIB), the agency saddled with the probe of air accidents and serious incidents is yet to release the aircraft to the airline.

    The source said the delay in releasing the aircraft may be unconnected with detailed probe into the serious incident.

    A team of investigators from the AIB, led by its director of operations, Captain Dayyabu Danraka is in Port Harcourt to unravel the remote and immediate cause of the incident and make recommendations to forestall future occurrence.

    Investigations revealed that DANA Air is reaching out to some of the 44 passengers for possible post trauma treatment.

    The offer for post trauma treatment, including possible payment of medical bills for those that may have sustained  injuries is to reduce the pain of the affected passengers.

    A source close to the airline said some of the passengers were impressed with the professionalism of the pilot in controlling the aircraft into the bush

    Meanwhile, Consumer  Protection Council (CPC) has called for calm among passengers and other stakeholders

    According to a statement by signed by CPC, Director General, Babatunde Irukera, the relevant aviation authorities have secured perimeter scene of the incident with ongoing probe on the damaged aircraft.

    Irukera said the Council is in communication with DANA Air and the NCAA as it awaits detailed investigations by the AIB in compliance with the standards and recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

    He said: “Thankfully, all passengers and crew were safely evacuated without injury. The Consumer Protection Council congratulates relevant airport and aviation authorities, as well as the airline for this safe evacuation and management of what could otherwise have been tragic.

    “The Council further calls for calm as we await more information and a detailed investigation by the Accident Investigation Bureau in compliance with ICAO standards.  In addition, the Council has been in communication with the airline and NCAA.

    “The Council understands that Dana Air has provided logistic support and accommodation to passengers. The Council insists this must comply with minimum standards in accordance with prevailing Regulations under Part 19, Nigerian Civil Aviation Rules (NCAR).

    “An open, transparent, sensitive and responsive approach by the airline and relevant authorities is vital to sustaining confidence and assuring consumers. The Council welcomes this openness and attention to consumers, including providing medical or psychological support where necessary.

    “The Consumer Protection Council in collaboration with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, other aviation agencies and service providers remains available to all passengers in the sector to answer questions, provide assistance and required assurances at this and other times.”

    Read Also: AIB begins investigation into DANA Air incident

  • Truck hits Air Peace aircraft at Lagos Airport 

    Truck hits Air Peace aircraft at Lagos Airport 

    A truck operated by one of the ground handling companies on Thursday rammed into and damaged an aircraft belonging to Air Peace at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, disrupting some of its flights.

    The incident occurred in the morning during the loading of passengers’ luggage into the cargo hold of the aircraft scheduled to service the carrier’s Lagos-Uyo route.

    A statement issued by the Corporate Communications Manager of Air Peace, Mr. Chris Iwarah said the door of the rear cargo hold of the aircraft was impacted and damaged in the incident.

    The aircraft, it added, had been declared unserviceable. The airline’s Uyo-bound passengers, the statement said, were rescheduled to fly later in the day.

    The airline said it deeply regretted the disruption of its Lagos-Uyo service and the delay the incident caused its passengers. It assured that arrangements had been made to take the affected passengers to their destinations.

    It would be recalled that a truck belonging to another ground handling company also hit and damaged an aircraft belonging to Air Peace at the Benin Airport in April this year.

    Air Peace confirmed that officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) were already investigating the incident at the Lagos airport on Thursday.

  • AIB boss urge pilots, others to be professional in their duties

    AIB boss urge pilots, others to be professional in their duties

    Mr Akin Olateru, the Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau ( AIB ), has  emphasised the need  for members of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers ( NAAPE ) to discharge their duties professionally.

    The commissioner’s call is in a statement by Mr Tunji Oketunbi, the Head, Public Affairs, AIB, on Sunday in Lagos.

    Oketunbi stated that the commissioner made the call when a delegation of NAAPE, led by its President, Mr Abednego Galadima, paid a courtesy visit to Olateru at the AIB headquarters.

    Olateru said the Nigerian aviation industry would experience more growth and safe flight operations if aircraft engineers and pilots in various organisations displayed professionalism in carrying out  their responsibilities.

    He lauded NAAPE for the pragmatic approach  in dealing with managements of various organisations in the industry, noting that the attitude had brought stability to the sector and enjoined them to continue  in the same manner.

    The commissioner said “there is no organisation without workers and if there is no organisation, there will be no workers. Your association has demonstrated enough professionalism.

    “It is not about money. For some unions, it is for the highest bidders, but you have been consistent with the truth.

    “Without NAAPE, there is no aviation. NAAPE is the most important union in the industry. I am not, however, saying that other unions are not important but everything surrounds aircraft. If there is no aircraft, there is no aviation.

    “NAAPE comes first in the industry. So, I will want you to urge your members to be more professional in the discharge of their duties.”

    Commenting on the release of accident reports by the bureau, Olateru observed that none of its reports had been faulted by any individual or organisation in recent times.

    He attributed this to the new approach by the current management, which removed accident reports from the apron string of individuals to collective contributions.

    He explained that because of the quality of work done by investigators, no engine or aircraft manufacturer had faulted the reports of the agency on aircraft incident or accident.

    “The Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, recently told me not to rush reports that could be faulted by anyone.

    “So, I took time to go through the process to show him that our reports can’t be faulted. Our reports are not done individually again.

    “We now have groups comprising experienced and inexperienced investigators. No one personalises reports again. And after the groups have finished their work with the draft reports, we send them to stakeholders for comments and observations.

    “On getting feed backs, we now do a general review, which involves virtually all the investigators, before it goes out for proof reading,”he said.

    Olateru noted that aviation industry anywhere in the world was technical and volatile, stressing that whatever developments that took place in other sectors also affect aviation industry.

    He pointed out  that the minister  was working with Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN ) to ensure that interest rate on loans obtained by investors in the sector was not more than nine per cent, which would go a long way in improving standards in the sector.

    Olateru emphasised that it required expertise for an investor to run an airline business successfully and enjoined investors in the sub-sector to allow proven professionals to run the businesses.

    In his remarks, Galadima commended Olateru for bringing stability to AIB within a short period of time.

    He promised that the association would work with the management, especially in the area of accident prevention and would sensitise members on non-hazard and violation according to Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation ( ICAO ).

    He added that “we want to see that the industry grows. We are here to see that aviation in Nigeria grows and gets a win-win for employees and employers.

    “We recognise that AIB has paucity of funds, but despite this, the bureau has been paying the licence fee to NAAPE members in the agency.

    “I will also use this opportunity to call for the release of promotion letters to our members in your organisation as the year is running out. Also, I seek proper placement as it affects our members. We will support you, but as friends, we will also tell you the truth.”

  • AIB, Unilorin sign agreement on usage of $5.8m lab

    AIB, Unilorin sign agreement on usage of $5.8m lab

    The University of Ilorin (Unilorin) and the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the usage of the bureau’s $5.8 million metallurgical laboratory at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the agreement was signed by both parties at the AIB’s headquarters at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Tuesday.

    Mr Akin Olateru, the Commissioner of AIB, said at the signing ceremony that the partnership would be beneficial to the agency and the university.

    He said it was worrisome that both private and public business organisations expend little or no resources to funding of researches and projects in the country.

    According to him, Harvard University in the United States alone has in excess of $30 billion for research purposes.

    The commissioner said with adequate research, the country would benefit more.

    He explained that the vision of the management was to make the laboratory a world class facility where giant construction companies and countries like South Africa, United Kingdom and other European nations could come to conduct research.

    The AIB boss said the collaboration with the university would lead to the recognition of Nigeria as a serious nation in research in the international community.

    He maintained that usage of the facility would lead to human capital development in the country, while the laboratory would also give students more opportunity to practise whatever they had been taught in the classrooms.

    Olateru said :”This is a very important occasion for us and I believe University of Ilorin too should be proud of this occasion.

    ” I have about 30 years experience in aviation and this is the first that I know of, that an aviation agency is signing an MOU with any higher institution in this country for the benefit of Nigerians.

    “Let’s look at it very well, Federal Government owns AIB and University of Ilorin is equally owned by the federal government. Why can’t we collaborate?

    “I challenge every other agency to see how we can all collaborate. No more a stand-alone business. We should find a way how we can benefit on one and other.

    “You don’t need to have all the resources, competence or the technical expertise by yourself; it is all about collaboration,” he said.

    Olateru said that the agency hoped to lure more academic institutions to make use of the facility, stressing that it would also form part of its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    On his part, the leader of the university’s delegation, Prof. Yinusa Jimoh, noted that it was the first time the institution would sign an MoU with any Ministry, Department and Agency (MDA) in the country.

    He expressed the hope that it would be mutually benefitial to parties involved.

    Jimoh noted that Nigeria had a lot to gain from the partnership, stressing that rather than travel abroad for research, they would be able to do so with ease in the country.

    He enjoined other academic institutions in the country to take a cue from the institution by looking inward whenever they are conducting researches, stressing that this would also go a long way in curbing capital flight out of the country.

    “Nigeria has a lot to gain through this partnership because Nigerians go to every part of the world for research purposes.

    “We still send materials overseas when we are doing some research work. Our facilities still require improvement and this is a good facility for us; we are taking good opportunity of this.

    “We are looking for a place to improve our facilities and we have it now. By tomorrow, this thing that we are starting today will be a huge benefit for this country.

    “I can assure you that we are starting an agreement that would be sustained. It’s a win-win situation for all of us involved,” Jimoh said.