The Accident Investigation Bureau Nigeria (AIB-N) has today released an update on the fatal accident involving Bell Helicopter 206-B III, Serial Number 3216, Engine Model Allison 250–C20B with the Nationality registration Marks 5N-BQW operated by Quorum Aviation, which occurred on the 28 August, 2020.
The Commissioner/CEO of the Bureau, Engr. Akin Olateru, while briefing the media at the Safety House, AIB regional office in Lagos disclosed that the aircraft, which originated from Port Harcourt with Lagos as its intended destination, crashed in the Opebi area of Lagos State on 28th August 2020.
The Bureau, he said, was notified of the crash at about 12:19 pm on the same day with an investigation team promptly dispatched to the crash site and investigation to ascertain the cause of the accident commenced immediately.
The Commissioner stated that from the evidence gathered till date, the Bell 206 B III helicopter started its engine at 09:15 h At 0920 h, the helicopter lifted off from Port Harcourt Military Airport (DNPM) for EAN Hanger, Lagos Airport.
At 11:45h, the aircraft established contact with Lagos Tower, reporting maintaining 1000 ft and estimating the station at 12:18 h. In the ensuing communication, the pilot was advised of station weather.
“At 12:10 h, the pilot reported sighting the airfield and was instructed by ATC, to report downwind for runway 18L. At 12:16h, the ATC tried unsuccessfully to establish contact with the aircraft. At 12:36h, ATC was informed of the crash of the helicopter by MMF02, a MMIA fire station”, said Olateru.
The helicopter, according to the Commissioner, has a valid Certificate of Airworthiness (C of A) that will expire on October 29, 2020 even as Quorum Aviation has a valid Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) that will expire November 20,2020.
Olateru, however, disclosed that contrary to speculations circulating, the Bureau did not retrieve a Flight Data Recorder (FDR) popularly called the Black Box, from the crashed helicopter, adding that this was in line with regulations by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). This Olateru said will not affect the outcome of the investigation.
Said he: “An FDR on the aircraft would have aided the investigation but, nevertheless, our world class trained investigators are competent to retrieve information about a crash from the wreckage and several other components of the aircraft, the site of the crash, communication with the ATC, and other documents on the aircraft and the crew”.
The AIB Commissioner urged the media and the public to trust AIB to be thorough and transparent in this investigation and await the formal report of findings and recommendations, which will be released after its conclusion, adding that the conjecture at this stage is detrimental to the Bureau’s investigation process.
“I will once again appeal to the media and the public at large to avoid speculation and insinuation in this matter. Please exercise patience and trust AIB to complete the ongoing investigation and make the necessary safety recommendations that will help to prevent the future recurrence of a similar accident. Findings will be made public in due course”.
Olateru also solicited for the assistance of the public in providing AIB with any video clip, relevant evidence, or information any members of the public might have of the accident, and which could assist the Bureau further with its investigation.
The Commissioner expressed heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the victims of the air accident and mourns the loss of the three aviation colleagues who died in the crash.
He also appreciated LASEMA, the Nigerian Police Force, Fire Service and other law enforcement agencies for the role they played in securing the recent crash site and controlling the crowd at the scene.
Olateru said: “AIB recognizes the importance of these agencies as the first responders and that is why we have conducted several training sessions involving members of security agencies such as the Nigerian Police Force, the Civil Defense Corps, and Federal Road Safety Corps, on the importance of securing crash sites so as to ensure that evidences are not tampered with”.
He disclosed that in view of the role LASEMA played at the Bell 206-B3 crash site, AIB is looking at securing collaboration with the agency as a way of further strengthening the security at crash sites and of vital evidence that could aid the Bureau’s investigations.