BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
In an effort to deepen aviation safety, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released two preliminary reports on an accident and a serious incident involving aircraft owned and operated by Flints Aero Services Limited, and FLYFORVALUE Aviation Limited.
Also released are four safety recommendations to forestall a repeat of the incidents and generally ensure safer and efficient aircraft operations.
The Bureau in a statement signed by its Spokesman, Tunji Oketunbi explained that the accident involving Hawker 800XP aircraft operated by Flints Aero Services Limited marked 5N-AMM, occurred at Ibadan Airport, Oyo State on November 3, 2023.
According to him, the flight departed Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (DNAA), Abuja for Ibadan Airport (DNIB), Oyo state, as a charter flight on an Instrument Flight Rules flight plan.
“On board were 10 persons, inclusive of two cockpit crew and one cabin crew, with fuel endurance of three hours.
“The flight crew were licensed and qualified to conduct the flight and the Captain had 49 night flying hours only. The aircraft had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and was programmed for an RNAV approach using the autopilot, which was cleared by the ATC.
“The aircraft touched down in the grass verge on the extended centreline of the runway, about 220 m from the threshold and veered progressively right of centreline runway 22 on entering the paved area until a point 156 meters from the runway threshold, crossed the right runway shoulder and entered the grass verge.
“There was no evidence of braking action from the tyre tracks on the runway.
“Post-incident inspection of the aircraft confirmed substantial damage to the fuselage, the landing gear and flaps. The passengers disembarked without any injury while the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) were recovered in good condition and recordings were intact after the occurrence.
“Flints Aero Services Limited was issued with a Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF). The PNCF issued to Flint Aero Services Limited stipulates that the aircraft shall not be used for carriage of passenger(s), cargo or mail for hire or reward”, he explained.
On the safety recommendations,
NSIB said the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) should ensure that it strictly observes the airport operational hours as published in the relevant Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) and not permit extensions beyond the airport limitations.
“The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) should ensure that Flints Aero Services Limited operates within the limits of the approval given to it, in accordance with Section 18.2.4.3 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations 2015.
“Flints Aero Services Limited should ensure that its flight crew have sufficient experience in night-time flight operations. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) should ensure that the overgrown grass verge on either side of runway 04/22 is immediately cleared”.
On the serious incident, Oketunbi said it involves a Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft with nationality and registration marks 5N-BXR owned and operated by FLYFORVALUE Aviation Limited at Port Harcourt Intl. Airport, Rivers State on 14th November 2023 is the second report released by the Bureau.
“The flight was a scheduled flight from Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos (DNMM) to Port Harcourt Intl. Airport, Rivers State (DNPO) on an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan. On board were 68 persons inclusive of 5 crew; two cockpit, and three cabin crew with fuel endurance of 2 hours and 15 minutes.
“While on ground in Lagos, the flight crew received weather information for Port Harcourt reporting Visibility at 1500 meters, reducing to 600 meters in thunderstorm and rain. The decision was made to wait on ground in Lagos with passengers onboard until conditions became more suitable.
“At 14:15 h, FVJ0226 departed Lagos. The Pilot was the Pilot Flying (PF) while the copilot was the Pilot Monitoring (PM). The crew reported that take-off, climb, cruise, descent and approach phases were uneventful.
“During approach at about six NM to the station, the aircraft encountered light rain, which dissipated before reaching the final approach fix. Wipers were switched on. The crew discussed the weather and agreed that there was no threat to a safe operation. Approach and Descent checklists were completed.
“The initial findings of the flight indicated that the flight crew were licensed and qualified to conduct the flight and the aircraft had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness.
“After touchdown, the Pilot Monitoring called out 90 kt during landing roll while the Pilot Flying called for After Landing checklist and flaps retraction. The aircraft continued its roll till it veered off the runway into the grass verge adjacent Link A5. The ATC activated the crash alarm. Passengers disembarked without any injury.
“The CVR and FDR were recovered in good condition and recordings were intact after the occurrence.
“Preliminary reports are not the final reports as they only contain details of the initial facts, discussions and findings surrounding the occurrences; which include information gathered from witness statements, flight recorders, Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) Data, Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) data, and preliminary inspection of the accident sites and the wreckages.
“Therefore, investigations on these accidents are still ongoing and final reports will be released at the conclusions of the respective investigations”, he noted.
