The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has just unveiled shocking findings more than a month after the plane crash involving the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and nine others. The incident occurred as the aircraft, operated by Flints Aero Services Limited, was en route from Abuja to Ibadan.
In a recent statement, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi, the Head of Public Affairs at the NSIB, revealed that the aircraft owners, Flints Aero Service, were found to be at fault. The report pointed out that the airline had been entrusted with a Permit for Non-Commercial Flight, explicitly prohibiting the transportation of passengers, cargo, or mail for hire or reward. However, the flight blatantly violated this permit.
According to the findings, the aircraft carried ten individuals, including two cockpit crew and one cabin crew, with a fuel endurance of three hours. Furthermore, the report uncovered that the crew lacked sufficient experience in night-time flight operations, raising serious safety concerns.
Additionally, the airline faced allegations of contravening its Air Operator Certificate issued by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority. The NSIB report detailed the flight’s departure from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, destined for Ibadan Airport in Oyo state, as a charter flight under an Instrument Flight Rules flight plan.
The inspection conducted post-incident confirmed substantial damage to the aircraft’s fuselage, landing gear, and flaps. Despite the severity of the crash, all passengers disembarked without injuries. Moreover, the Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder were recovered in good condition, with their recordings intact after the occurrence.
The report’s revelations have sparked widespread concerns, shedding light on the lax enforcement of aviation regulations and the potentially dire consequences of such oversights. The expose of such critical lapses in air safety regulations underscores the need for stringent oversight and accountability within the aviation industry to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As this investigation unfolds, the spotlight remains firmly fixed on the aviation sector and the imperative of upholding uncompromising standards to ensure the safety and well-being of all air travelers.
This report serves as a poignant reminder of the paramount importance of vigilance and adherence to regulations within the aviation industry.
While the findings are indeed alarming, they stand as a call to action for comprehensive reforms, beckoning the aviation sector to heed the imperative of prioritizing safety above all else.
