The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has said voided Caverton Helicopters earlier claims that bad weather caused the crash of helicopter that conveyed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at Kabba Stadium, Kogi State, saying it failed to conduct site survey of the landing site before engaging the crashed helicopter to fly.
The preliminary report of AIB made public in Lagos blamed the airline for not carrying out safety and risk assessment of the landing area prior to dispatch of the flight.
Whereas it was silent on if the aircraft had issues with landing gear, the AIB Commissioner, Engr. Akin Olateru, hinted that the helicopter hovered to land in a brownout condition which led to the accident.
Business Hilights recalls that the ill-fated Augustawestland AW139 helicopter operated by Caverton, with the registration number, 5N-CML, crashed on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at Kabba, Kogi State.
AIB preliminary report was quick to note that the crashed helicopter had a valid certificate of airworthiness, but cannot determine the mental state of the crew in terms of drugs or alcohol induced mindset challenges.
