Pilots’ complacencies linked to all six crashes in last 7 years—AIB Report
The recently released reports on all six air accidents across the country since 2012 to date by the nations’ Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) have linked all the crashes to pilots’ self-righteousness and abuse of laid down flying procedures for each of the affected air craft.
For example, the crash of the helicopter conveying the late Taraba State Governor, Danbaba Suntai, and three other occupants on October 25, 2012 was because the pilot was not certified, qualified and competent to fly the Cessna 208B Caravan aircraft with registration number 5N-BMJ, which crashed in Kwanan-Waya Village in Yola.
The Commissioner and Chief Executive officer of AIB, Akin Olateru, made it clear that even though the pilot had a private pilot licence, he was not trained to handle that particular aircraft which boils down to complacency.
Other factors named in the accident included operating a VFR flight after sunset and inadequate oversight by the regulatory authority, lack of instrument ratings and night flight privileges.
AIB Report added that “The pilot reported the number of persons on board as six to the control tower as against four actual persons found after the accident. The control tower was notified about 5N-BMJ departure by a phone call from Jalingo after the aircraft was airborne”.
On the accident involving Bristow Helicopters Sikorsky S76C++ Helicopter with registration number 5N-BQJ, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja on February 3, 2016, AIB report fingered non-adherence of the crew to company’s operations manual regarding after take-off checks and failure to disengage the autopilot to fly the aircraft manually.
Besides, the pilot underestimated heavy rain, visibility and strong wind on short final and landing period which also caused another accident involving a Boeing MD-83 aircraft operated by Dana Airlines, which occurred at Port Harcourt International Airport on February 20, 2018.
Ahead of the accident in February last year, AIB report said the crew on the aircraft with registration number 5N-SRI failed to crosscheck the prevailing wind and obtain landing clearance after contact was restored by the strenuous efforts of control tower operators.
