The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has released the preliminary report on the investigation into serious incident involving Delta Airline’s Airbus A330-223 aircraft marked N858NW, which occurred after take-off from the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos on February 13 February, 2018.
It also released the preliminary reports on the incident involving Dana Air’s MD – 83 aircraft marked 5N-SRI that overran the runway at the Port Harcourt International Airport on February 20, 2018 as well as the incident involving Gulfstream G200 aircraft marked 5N-BTF which occurred at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on January 25, 2018.
According to AIB, the reports contain factual information on the three occurrences and not their probable causes as investigations are still ongoing.
They include information gathered from witness statements and a preliminary inspection of the aircraft and the accident site.
On Delta Airline’s incident, the agency said initial findings indicated that the flight crew were certified and qualified to conduct the flight in accordance with applicable FAA regulations, Number One engine fire warning came on about a minute after take-off, while the crew at 2252.25hrs contacted ATC and declared emergency.
AIB also reported that there was evidence of fire within the engine cowling even as the two fire extinguishers on the engine were discharged.
“A commotion was reported onboard the aircraft before the evacuation. Investigation is still ongoing and further investigative actions may include engine examination, material testing for the fuel manifolds, engine oil and hydraulic lines, inspection of fuel manifolds for crack and inspection of fuel nozzle braze joints for leaks,” said AIB.
On Dana aircraft incident, AIB said the crew reported that the runway had experienced recent rain before arrival and after touchdown looked and felt contaminated with flood of water that did not drain well.
Other findings include the fact that after the aircraft came to a complete stop, emergency evacuation was carried out using only the left forward main door and the escape slide on this door did not deploy just as the public address system did not work.
Besides, the agency said the aircraft was substantially damaged, the runway approach lights and landing aids were damaged, the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (ARFFS) arrived during the evacuation and all persons on board were evacuated unhurt.
On Gulfstream 200 aircraft operated by Nestor Oil, AIB said some of the initial findings are that the crew “are certified and qualified to conduct the flight; the aircraft was airworthy as at the time of the occurrence and there was no reported adverse weather during approach and landing into.”
Besides, AIB said the aircraft lost directional control during the landing roll, veered off and came to rest on the right shoulder of the runway while the equipment’s right main landing gear strut sheared off.
“We are seriously committed to releasing investigation reports on time. This is one way to ensure that such occurrences are prevented from repeating themselves and conform with the purpose of accident investigation,” said the commissioner for AIB, Mr. Akin Olateru.
