…CPC calls for better treatment of passengers
The Accident investigation Bureau (AIB) has sent a team headed by the agency’s director of operations, Capt. Dayyabu Danraka to Port Harcourt to investigate the incident involving a Dana Air aircraft which overshot the Port Harcourt International Airport runway on Tuesday, February 20, 2018.
The AIB has commenced investigations into possible cause of the accident involving Dana Air flight 9J0363 on Tuesday night on the runway of the Port Harcourt International Airport, Rivers State.
AIB has dispatched a team of aircraft engineers, pilots and accident investigators to the scene of the accident in Port Harcourt.
The team of investigators have arrived Port Harcourt airport and they have commenced their work,” said spokesman for AIB, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi.
It would be recalled that an aircraft operated by Dana with the following details: 5N-SRI, Flight Number: 0348, Type: MD 83, Souls: 54 including five crew landed at the Port Harcourt Runway 21 and overran the runway at 1751 UTC.
All onboard were evacuated safely with no reported casualties. Preliminary investigation showed that the heavy rain at the airport might have contributed to the accident.
The aircraft as well as navigational equipment at the airports was said to have been damaged substantially due to impact.
The Airport was briefly closed for safety reasons and reopened after proper assessment on Wednesday morning.
It would also be recalled that the aircraft which originated from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja overshot the runway due to flooding of the facility
Meanwhile, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has called for better treatment of those involved in the Dana Air incident in Port Harcourt.
The CPC said in a statement that while all passengers and crew were safely evacuated without injuries, there was a need for thorough investigation to determine the cause of the incident.
The statement read in part, “The Consumer Protection Council congratulates relevant airport and aviation authorities as well as the airline for this safe evacuation and management of what could otherwise have been tragic.
“The Council further calls for calm as we await more information and a detailed investigation by the Accident Investigation Bureau in compliance with ICAO standards.
“In addition, the council has been in communication with the airline and the NCAA. The council understands that Dana Air has provided logistic support and accommodation to passengers. The council insists that this must comply with minimum standards in accordance with prevailing regulations under Part 19, Nigerian Civil Aviation Rules.”
