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Tag: AIB

  • AIB: ex-Taraba Governor Suntai not competent to fly crashed aircraft

    The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has said the late Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai was not competent to fly the Cessna 208B aircraft he flew and crashed on October 25, 2012.

    The bureau returned the verdict in the six final accident reports it released yesterday.

    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, Ilorin, Kwara State, and a GulfStream G200 aircraft operated by Nestoil Plc.

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

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

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

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

    He added that the ill-fated aircraft does not have any maintenance record in any Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO).

    The report made two safety recommendations, urging the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to relocate control tower at Yola Airport to enhance the aerial view of the approach path Runway 35 from the tower.

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

    On Suntai’s crash, AIB said: “The pilot was not qualified to fly Cessna 172 and had total logged flying hours of 58 hours 40 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 Delta Airlines Airbus A330-223 accident, the bureau said its findings revealed that the aircraft engine caught fire due to fuel manifold cracking attributable to high vibratory stresses.

    Read also: Ex-Governor Suntai dies five years after surviving plane crash

    It added: “An over-temperature condition and localised 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 had 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 Bristow Helicopters Sikorsky S76C6+ 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 bureau 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 off duty for any period up to 30 days.

  • Osinbajo: Landing in dusty environment caused chopper’s crash – AIB

    ……Attributes crash to effects of landing in dusty environment

     

    The Accident Investigation Bureau ( AIB ) on Wednesday released the report of the helicopter crash involving Agusta Westland W 139 Caverton Helicopters which flew Vice President to Kabba in Kogi State.

    The AIB attributed the February 2, 2019 crash of the Chopper marked with registration number 5N – CML to effects of a brown out generated during its landing in a dry dusty environment.

    It said Caverton should have carried out risk assessment test at the Kaaba stadium before the flight.

    Brown out in aviation par lance means a condition generated during landing in a sandy, dusty environment.

    The chopper operated by Caverton Helicopter occurred at Kaaba Stadium in Kogi State. It flew Osinbajo his entourage and three crew members.

    The chopper was manufactured in 2012.

    Speaking at a briefing at its headquarters at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, AIB Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Akin Olateru said though the investigation into the crash is ongoing, it has however issued two safety recommendations to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the operator : Caverton Helicopters Limited.

    Olateru said the NCAA should issue advisory circular to helicopter operators on the effects of brown out and how to mitigate its effects.

    The second safety recommendation, Olateru said is for Caverton Helicopters to carry out proper risk analysis and assessment before operating flights into unapproved landing pad.

    He said the final report on the accident will be released in few months.

  • Osinbajo’s crash: AIB concludes ‘high profile’ accident investigation

    Seventy- two hours after an Agusta AW 139 helicopter flying Vice President Yemi Osibanjo crashed in Kabba, aviation agencies led by Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) have concluded investigations on the ‘ high profile’ accident.

    The completion of investigation came on the heels of gathering of evidence- inspection of the chopper wreckage at the crash site; interview of airline crew- pilots, engineers and other technical personnel, eyewitnesses’ accounts, laboratory testing of broken rotor and other parts of chopper.

    A source closed to the AIB said the preliminary report of the high profile accident will be released in two days but could not give probable cause(s) of the crash.

    A source close to Caverton Helicopters said its insurers have arrived the country to participate in the accident investigation.

    The source hinted the insurers, sought permission from the AIB, to enable them have access to the crash site for valuation of the wreckage and other relevant activity critical to the accident probe.

    Besides the insurers, it was not clear as at Monday if the helicopter manufacturer – Agusta will participate in the accident.

    According to aviation regulations prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), aircraft manufacturers ought to participate in high profile accident investigation to learn useful lessons in preventing any reoccurrence; if there are issues with the equipment design or other technical hitches.

    Speaking in an interview on Monday, AIB’s spokesman, Tunji Oketumbi, said the bureau has concluded preliminary investigation on the crash, which he described as high as ‘ high profile’, because of the status of the occupant in the ill- fated chopper.

    He said an accident could be so described, if the aircraft was carrying many influential people; or there are many multi- nationals.

    Read Also: Osinbajo: we can’t thank God enough for our lives

    This, he said, will however not put any pressure on the AIB, which has so far utilised its internal capacity to discharge the onerous task.

    He said: “So far, the Accident Investigation Bureau has done what is statutorily required of it. We did not require any foreign assistance.

    “We have carried out the relevant findings at the crash site and interviewed the crew and other people relevant to the operation. So, far, the helicopter wreckage has not been removed.”

    He said besides giving flight information- type of aircraft; registration number; number of occupant in the aircraft and circumstances of the accident, the airline should refrain from speculating the cause of the crash.

    Doing such, Oketumbi said would amount to pre-empting the investigation.

  • AIB launches probe, deploys team to crash scene

    Accident investigators have been deployed to the scene of the weekend helicopter crash involving Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Kogi State.

    The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) is investigating why and how Agusto Westland AW139 helicopter crash-landed in Kabba.

    AIB spokesman Tunji Oketumbi told The Nation in a telephone interview yesterday that besides the assessment of the crash scene, the AIB team will ascertain the cause(s) of the accident.

    The team will also interview the crew – pilots and engineers and other professionals from Caverton Helicopters – that operated the ill-fated chopper.

    The investigators will examine the chopper’s wreckage and other relevant materials connected to its operations.

    Oketumbi said a preliminary report on the accident will be released “in a matter of days”, adding that relevant aeronautical agencies have swung into action to unravel the cause of the crash.

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) reported the crash to the AIB.

    Its General Manager, Public Relations, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, said:  “The NCAA has been notified about the incident and we have notified the AIB to begin investigations in line with its mandate.”

    Caverton Helicopters, in a statement by its Managing Director, Capt. Josiah Choms, said aviation agencies had been informed about the incident.

    Choms said: “An Augsto AW139 Helicopter under management by Caverton Helicopters was involved in a mishap on landing in Kabba, Kogi State on February 2, 2019 as a result of unusual weather conditions.

    “There were no injuries to the passengers or crew on board and they were all quickly and safely evacuated. The relevant authorities have been duly informed and an investigation into the incident has commenced. We will, of course, support the authorities as required.

    “We wish to reassure the public and our various stakeholders of our unwavering commitment to safety in all our operations.”

  • AIB probes Osinbajo’s helicopter crash

     

    • Preliminary report out in two days

    The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) on Sunday said it has commenced investigations into the crash -landing of an Agusto Westland AW139 helicopter conveying Vice President Yemi Osibanjo to Kabba in Kogi State.

    Spokesman of the agency, Tunji Oketumbi disclosed this in a telephone interview.

    He said the bureau has already deployed its team of accident investors to the scene of the helicopter crash in Kabba , Kogi State to unravel cause of the crash.

    Oketumbi said AIB’s team of investigators besides combing the crash site to asertain the cause(s) of the accident will also interview the crew – pilots and engineers and other professionals from Caverton Helicopters that operated the ill- fated chopper.

    READ ALSO: Video: Osinbajo survives helicopter crash

    He said the team of investigators will also examine the chopper wreckage and other relevant materials connected to the operations.

    Oketumbi disclosed that very soon a preliminary report on the accident will be released.

    He said the relevant aeronautical agencies are working hard the unravel the cause of the crash.

    A source close to the bureau, however, hinted that the accident report will be released in the next few days.

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) also said it has informed the AIB about the crash.

    Its General Manager, Public Relations, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, confirmed the development in a telephone interview.

    Adurogboye said the investigation was being conducted by the Accident Investigations Bureau, the statutory agency saddled with the task of investigating such serious incidents and accidents.

    “The NCAA has been notified about the incident and we have notified the AIB to begin investigations in line with its mandate,”Adurogboye said.

    Also confirming the development, Caverton Helicopters, in a statement signed by its Managing Director, Capt. Josiah Choms, said the relevant aviation agencies had been informed about the incident.

    Choms said: “An Augsto AW139 Helicopter, under management by Caverton Helicopters was involved in a mishap on landing in Kabba, Kogi State on February 2, 2019 as a result of unusual weather conditions.

    “There were no injuries to the passengers or crew on board and they were all quickly and safely evacuated.

    “The relevant authorities have been duly informed and an investigation into the incident has commenced. We will, of course, support the authorities as required.

    “We wish to reassure the public and our various stakeholders of our unwavering commitment to safety in all our operations,” he said.

  • AIB releases first international aircraft investigation report in Sao Tome

    Accident Investigation Bureau Nigeria has just set another standard in the region in releasing timely and accurate air accident report in Sao Tome and Principe, its spokesman, Tunji Oketumbi has said.

    Oketumbi said it was a fallout of effective collaboration and cooperation the Bureau has garnered in the last 24 months with the aviation stakeholders and the endless work by the Bureau’s investigators.

    He said AIB Commissioner/CEO, Engr Akin Olateru led his team to submit the final report of the accident involving Cavok Airlines CVK 7087 AN-74TK-100 Aircraft Registered Ur-CKC, which occurred at Sao Tome International Airport, Sao Tome on July 29, 2017.

    The Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA) had invited AIB Nigeria to conduct an investigation into this crash, which by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annexe 13 is the responsibility of the state where it occurred.

    Oketumbi said this was very significant as for the first time in the history of Accident Investigation Bureau, accident investigation was handled by the Bureau on behalf of another state or a regional body.

    The delegates, Oketumbi said, visited the Nigerian Embassy and were received by the Charge De affaire, Mrs Faith. Ekwekwuo.

    She welcomed and appreciated the good job the Bureau did to have helped investigate the air accident and release of the final report.

    She also commended the Bureau for maintaining a good relationship with the Sao Tome authorities.

    He said: “The Bureau came into terms and executed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Instituto Nacional De Aviaco Civil (National Civil Aviation Authority of Sao Tome &Principe) of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome.

    The agreement was in four parts – cooperation, capacity building, exchange of information on accident investigation and assistance in cases of any air accident within both countries.

    “This was a bid to further strengthen a good relationship and effective collaboration towards achieving a common goal in the air accident investigation sector in Africa.”

  • AIB releases four accident reports

    THE Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has released four accident and serious incident reports, which occurred in the country between July 2004 and August 2015.

    This is as the AIB Commissioner, Akin Olateru, an engineer, said the present administration has achieved 52.1 per cent on publication of accident and serious incident reports and 47.4 per cent of safety recommendations since coming onboard in January, 2017.

    Olateru, at a briefing yesterday at Safety House, Corporate Headquarters of AIB at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, observed that some of the accidents and serious incidents would have been averted if parties involved had adhered to safety policies in the industry.

    The reports released included the accident involving Bristow Helicopters (Nigeria) Limited Sikorsky S-76C+ helicopters with the registration number 5N-BGD, which occurred on August 12, 2015, at the Oworonshoki area of Lagos.

    The agency also released the accident report on Pan African Airlines Nigeria Ltd Bell 412 EP Helicopter with the registration number 5N-BDZ, which crashed near SEDCO Energy Platform on July 26, 2004, a few minutes after takeoff.

    Also released were reports on two serious incidents involving an Emirates Boeing 777-200 aircraft with the registration number A6-EWD and Aero Contractors Nigeria Ltd B737-42C aircraft with the registration number 5N-BOB, which equally occurred in July 2015.

    The Sikorsky S-76C+ helicopters with the registration number 5N-BGD had crashed into Oworonshoki lagoon with 12 persons onboard, including two crew members shortly before landing at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja.

    There were six fatalities, including the two pilots, while other six persons onboard sustained serious injuries.

    The helicopter had departed SEDCO Express oil rig at about 14:55hrs with an endurance of one hour and thirty minutes maintaining 3,000ft with the estimated arrival at Lagos Airport at 15:36hrs, according to the crew information before departure from the rig.

    Olateru explained that the helicopter experienced sudden un-commanded pitch up, yaw, and roll for about 12 seconds until it impacted water at about 15:31hrs, stressing that the pilots were neither able to make any form of distress call to Air Traffic Controllers (ATC), SEDCO Express rig or communicate with the passengers before the impact.

    He added: “Rescue operation was swift, prompt and carried out by local fishermen, who were in the area. There were six fatalities, including two crew members and six seriously injured passengers. The crewmembers were recovered the following day. The helicopter was destroyed, but there was no post-impact fire.”

    In its sole safety recommendation, AIB advised the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation to redesign the affected control pushrod assembly by introducing wire lock or lock pins as safety features between the jam nut and the pushrod to enhance better security and safety.

  • Nigeria, Republic of Benin partner on air accident investigation

    The Nigerian Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and the Bureau Enquêtes-Accidents of Benin Republic have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on accident investigation.

    The MoU was signed on the sideline of the ongoing workshop on accident investigation for African countries organised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), on Wednesday in Abuja.

    While signing the MoU, Mr Akin Olateru, AIB Commissioner, said the two countries would partner in the area of accident investigation, capacity building and information sharing, to enhance standards.

    Olateru said the partnership would help the nations’ accident authorities fulfill their international obligations in accident investigation.

    According to him, the agreement in the MoU is in four parts — cooperation, capacity and human development, exchange of information and assistance.

    He said the two countries would assist each other in the event of an accident in any of the countries by combining their resources and expertise to conduct the investigation.

    According to him, AIB will be signing another MoU with Sao Tome, Niger Republic and other countries within the next few months.

    “All these today between Republic of Benin and Nigeria is to help us both to fulfill our obligations with regards to ICAO convention on accident investigation.

    “The synergy will go a long way to enhance capacity of our investigators because they will be working with each other to investigate accidents in any of the countries.

    “It is about capacity building at the end of the day;if you look at it because the more you practice the more you learn in accident investigation practices because there are no two same accidents and it takes years to fully train an accident investigator.

    “This for us, is to enhance our capability and boost our expertise in terms of accident investigation and as at today, Nigeria is the leader in terms of accident investigation in Africa” he said.

    Bongo Paul, Head of Bureau Enquêtes-Accidents, Benin Republic, said he was glad to have signed the MoU with Nigeria, adding that the negotiation for the partnership had been on for six months.

    Paul said it was significant to have entered into the partnership with a next door neighbouring country in addition to the ones with European countries.

    He said the idea was to enable Benin to fulfill its obligations in the area of accident investigation through capacity building.

  • AIB reviewing regulations

    THE Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) is reviewing its regulations to accommodate latest developments in global aviation, its Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Akin Olateru, has said.

    He said the review would be carried out before the end of the year.

    Olateru said the review became necessary to enhance the bureau’s performance, especially in  incident and accident investigation.

    He said the AIB was determined to make its activities align with European standards, and that the Bureau would spare no efforts to retain its leadership position in Africa.

    Olateru spoke at the end of a week-long peer review exercise carried out with European consultants at  the weekend in Lagos, at its headquarters at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA).

    He said the management had already circulated the information about its intent to review its regulations to stakeholders in the sector.

    AIB, in February 2016, carried out a similar exercise in Lagos.

    But, Olateru argued that some of the regulations were outdated and needed changes, which he said could not be accommodated with the regulations in use.

    He pointed out that the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recently reviewed its Annex 18 to accommodate new developments in the industry, stressing that to remain relevant, an organisation like AIB would need to consistently look at its regulations.

    Olateru declared that some of the core mandates of AIB were to investigate accident, recommend safety to prevent future occurrence and make aviation safer for business and air travellers, stressing that the planned review was part of such processes.

    He said: “AIB came to bear in 2007 via the Civil Aviation Act 2006; our regulation was designed to guide how you do things. That regulation is outdated; it has to be reviewed. Regulation basically is to guide the stakeholders and to let everybody know this is how reporting system is done.

    “If you look at Annex 18, it has just been reviewed by ICAO. We need to bring our regulations to speed to capture those new areas because you have to constantly review how you do things for you to stay relevant, if not, you will become outdated. It is easier to review regulations than to review the Act. Act is forever.

    More so, the need to review our regulations was part of ICAO findings the last time it audited us.’’

    ICAO observed that there were lots of gaps in the current regulations, which had called for this review.

    ‘’As a responsible organisation, you have to constantly put your regulations, processes, systems and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to test to make sure there is still life and they are still going to work in accordance to your objectives. And, if you find any gaps, you need to review and make it alive,” he said.

    On the peer review by two consultants on behalf of the bureau, Mr. Caj Frostell, the former Commissioner of Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA) and Mr. Ismo Aaltonen, Chief Air Safety Investigator, Safety Investigation Authority, Finland, Olateru said this was necessary to plug the gaps in the system.

    He explained that the exercise included equipment, infrastructure, technical personnel, system, processes and procedures, regulations and the entire organisation while also benchmarking it with European standards.

    Olateru said the duo checked the entire AIB’s books to determine its conformity with best standards, adding that the bureau would continue to invest in infrastructure and human capital to remain relevant in the industry.

    Als, Frostell said AIB’s equipment and technical personnel could compete with the best in the world.

    Specifically, he said the bureau’s flight safety in Abuja was state-of-the-art, which would further make the agency to retain its number one position in the sub-region.

    He, however, noted that AIB needed to close some noticed gaps in the system, adding that there was no perfect system anywhere.

    “This kind of review has been conducted in most European countries and this is international efforts to basically do the same thing in using the same material and again, we were very happy to see that the steps taken by AIB are very much on international level.

    “In his less than two years in leading activities at AIB, there has been tremendous development in the activities of AIB. It takes a strong, good leader to accompany the strides he has achieved since he assumed office. We are very impressed with the way he has been leading the industry and certainly the aim of centre of excellence and the leading agency in Africa is getting better by the day.”

    Aaltonen noted that AIB could handle accident investigations with its equipment and personnel.

    He called for more training and retraining of technical personnel to remain current on the job.

  • AIB to review regulations to meet global standard

    The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) is to  review its regulations to accommodate changes in the global aviation industry.

    AIB Commissioner Akin Olateru said in Lagos yesterday that the review would enhance the bureau’s performance in accident investigations.

    He added that the review will take place before end of year.

    The commisioner noted that AIB will ensure its activities conform with European standards and retain its leadership on the continent.

    According to Olateru, the management has notified stakeholders about its intent to review its regulations.

    He noted that some of AIB’s regulations are outdated and need changes, which can’t be accommodated with regulations in use.

    Olateru added that the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recently reviewed its Annex 18 to accommodate developments in the industry, stressing that to remain relevant, it will consistently look at its regulations.

    He said the bureau’s core mandates were to investigate accident, recommend safety to prevent future recurrence and make aviation safer for air travellers.

    “AIB came into existence in 2007 via the Civil Aviation Act 2006. The regulation was designed to guide how we do things.

    “That regulation is outdated, it has to be reviewed. Regulation basically is to guide the stakeholders and to let everybody know how reporting system is done.

    “If you look at Annex 18, it has just been reviewed by ICAO. We need to bring our regulations to speed to capture those new areas because you have to constantly review how you do things for you to stay relevant, if not, you will become outdated.

    “It is easier to review regulations than to review the Act. Act is forever. Moreso, the need to review our regulations was part of ICAO findings the last time it audited us,” the commissioner said in statement.

    According to him, ICAO observed there are gaps in the regulations.

    “As a responsible organisation, you have to constantly put your regulations, processes, systems and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to test to make sure there is still life and they are still going to work in accordance to your objectives.

    “And if you find any gaps, you need to review and make it alive,” he said.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that AIB, in February 2016, carried out a similar exercise in Lagos, which improved its activities and duties, especially on accident and incident investigations.