Date: 2017-11-29

The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) on Wednesday released four accident reports including ones involving two flying schools, the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) and the International Aviation College, Ilorin.

These increased to 10 the reports released in 2017 with 35 safety recommendations made so far and one safety bulletin even as the bureau launched a mobile app to simplify the process of accident report.

The reports which was released today by the Commissioner of AIB, Engr. Akin Olateru, included serious incident involving a Boeing 737-500 with registration 5N-BLE belonging to Aero Contractors which occurred at Kaduna Airport on 5th June, 2015 and the Accident involving Gitto Construczioni Generali Nigeria Limited Bell 407 helicopter with registration 5N-BIC which occurred at Uyo Airport, Akwa Ibom State, on October 21, 2009.

The Aero Contractor Lagos-Kaduna flight involved over 108 passengers as the aircraft was diverted to Abuja airport following a change in cabin pressure.

The bureau attributed the problem to engine change, saying the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) would issue an All Operators Letter (AOL) to all airlines to inform it whenever they are changing engines for proper monitoring of the process.

On the NCAT crash involving a TBM-850 (turbo prop aircraft certified for 1-pilot operation), the bureau faulted the decision of the crew to depart Abuja despite the bad weather condition.

It advised the NCAA to increase its oversight on operators of special and private category aircraft to ensure strict compliance with all provisions of the Civil Aviation regulations as related to personnel licensing and other operational activities.

On the serious incident involving a Diamond DA42 aircraft with registration number 5N-BNH owned and operated by Ilorin Aviation College which happened on August 18, 2014, the bureau blamed it on inadequate oversight by Quality Assurance department.

It recommended that IAC should restructure its Quality System "to provide adequate safety oversight on the maintenance department thereby enhancing airworthy aircraft and safe operations".

The Commissioner disclosed that six additional reports would be ready for review by stakeholders before the end of the year while they would be released in March 2018.

He assured that the AIB would collaborate with NCAA to ensure implementation of the safety recommendations issued by the bureau. On the new mobile app, he said members of the public can download it to report accident on serious incident, adding, "It is a very important way of improving our process and enhancing our productivity".