AIB releases final reports on 4 air accidents

The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has released the final report on the crash of a Bristow Helicopter that crashed on August 12, 2015 at the Oworonshoki area of Lagos.

The helicopter was a Sikorsky S-76C+ with registration number 5N-BGD.

Also released were the final reports of three other air accidents that occurred between July 2004 and August 2015.

The reports were presented by the Commissioner of AIB, Engr. Akin Olateru at a press briefing on Monday in Lagos.

According to Olateru, the purpose of the reports were not to apportion blames but avert future occurrence.

The three other reports were those of  accidents involving 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, 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 Bristow Helicopters Sikorsky S-76C+ helicopters, which had six fatalities, including two pilots, crashed into the Lagoon at Oworonshoki shortly before landing at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja.

According to Olateru, “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 impact.

Read also: Again Boko Haram attacks two Borno villages

“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 crew members were recovered the following day. The helicopter was destroyed, but there was no post-impact fire.”

The AIB recommended that the “the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 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”.

On the accident involving Pan African Airlines Bell 412 EP Helicopter with the registration 5N-BDZ, which occurred near SEDCO Energy Rig Platform on July 26, 2004, AIB recommended and advised NCAA to ensure that heliport operators provide full weather report for helicopter operations.

The AIB report on the serious incident involving an Emirates Boeing 777-200 aircraft with the registration A6-EWD, said the aircraft had an impact with another B737-400 aircraft belonging to HAK Air with the registration 5N-BOU at Lagos Airport on July 6, 2015.

It further revealed that the Emirates aircraft with 285 passengers had requested “to take off through the 18R runway, and the ATC replied that was unavailable at the time, but the pilot opted to use the 18Left runway for take-off.

“The crew asked for when the runway would be available. The tower reported that the time was not determined, but 18L was available. After determining the aircraft take-off performance, the crew accepted to use runway 18L. The Tower advised UAE782 that taxiing via taxiway C for runway 18L would be at pilot’s discretion due to aircraft wing span.

“However, the crew commenced the taxi and impacted a HAK Air Boeing 737-400 aircraft parked at the parking bay of the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), close to holding point runway 18L, at about 21:38hrs, damaging the rudder and the tail area of the HAK Air aircraft, while the Emirates aircraft sustained damage to its right wing tip.”

The report made two safety recommendations to FAAN and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, on the serious incident.

According to Olateru, the AIB under its current administration has achieved 52.1 percent success in publication of accidents and serious incident reports and 47.4 percent recommendations with the four reports.

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now