AIB to release reports on Bristow, Delta, others April 25
…focuses on improved investigations
The Accident Investigation Bureau has said it would release final reports of accidents/serious incidences involving 6 aircraft on April 25, 2019.
Commissioner of the Bureau, Engr. Akin Olateru, disclosed this at a Stakeholders’ Forum held recently in Lagos.
Particularly, Olateru announced during his speech that the reports will include: “Report on the serious incident involving an Airbus A330-223 aircraft operated by Delta airlines Inc. with registration N858NW on 13th February 2018.
Report on the accident involving a Cessna 208B Caravan belonging to the Ministry of Works and Transport, Taraba State with registration 5N-BMJ on 25th October 2012.
Report on the accident involving a Diamond DA40D aircraft operated by International Aviation College (IAC) with registration 5N-BRD on 25th November 2013.
Report on the accident involving Bristow Helicopters Nig. Ltd Sikorsky S76C++ helicopter with registration 5N-BQJ on 3rd February 2016.”
Others include: Report on the accident involving a Gulfstream 200 aircraft operated by Nestoil Ltd. with registration 5N-BTF on 20th January 2018.
And report on the accident involving an MD-83 aircraft operated by Dana Airlines Ltd with registration 5N-SRI on 20th February 2018.”
The commissioner this was necessary in order to rekindle confidence of the general public in air travel and the resourcefulness of the Bureau.
Olateru noted that in line with the onus vested on the Bureau, it has leapfrogged all huddles in the past two years by releasing a total of 58 reports on accidents and other occurrences, including 39 final reports.
He added that the Bureau has, under his watch, issued 154 safety recommendations on air navigation and prevention of accidents and serious incidences.
Going forward, the AIB boss said the Bureau was determined to improve its investigative ability by upgrading critical equipment and departments through constant training, research and collaborations with other experts and organisations saddled with the same responsibility.
Particularly, he said training of all air safety investigators in accident investigation practices through partnerships with Cranfield university, UK; Southern California Safety Institute and other sister agencies such as the US NTSB and the Singapore’s TSIB.
Other areas of focus will include training of first responders, management of safety/security policies and investigation tools with a view to making the newly established safety and security department, which is a support mechanism to accident investigations on and off site, more functional.
Apart from the Bureau’s staff, others to be trained in managing on-site investigations are the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Road Safety Commission.
“Training of first responders will include the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC)) on Air Disaster Management. This will enable them secure crash sites and identify evidence,” he said.
He, however, lamented that the proposal was being frustrated by the Inspector General of police, as he has tendered several requests for a list of those to be trained but has not received any favourable response from the IG.
The training, according to him, will be funded by the Bureau.
