Ime Akpan
The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has released a report on the crash of a Cessna 208B Caravan aircraft which resulted in the death of a former governor of Taraba State, Mr. Danbaba Suntai.
The aircraft, marked 5N-BMJ and with late Suntai as the pilot, crashed in Kwanan-Waya Village, Yola South local government area of Adamawa State on October 25, 2012.
Presenting the report in Lagos on Thursday, the commissioner of AIB, Mr. Akin Olateru said the late governor was not certified, qualified and competent to fly that aircraft.
Olateru said although the pilot had completed training and obtained a Private Pilot Licence and “the pilot is qualified to fly Cessna 172 and has total logged flying hours of 58 hours and 40 minutes” he stressed that “the pilot has no relevant endorsement to fly Cessna Caravan 208B.”
“The pilot does not have instrument ratings and night flight privileges.
“The pilot reported an incorrect estimated time of arrival (ETA at Yola as 10:01 UTC as against the time 17:19 UTC.
“The pilot reported the number of persons on board as 06 to the CT as against 04 actual persons found after the accident.
“The flight was conducted after the sunset time in Yola on the day of accident.
“The Control Tower was notified about 5N-BMJ departure by phone call from Jalingo after the aircraft was airborne.
“The Bureau was unable to interview the pilot as he was flown out of the country for further medical treatment,” he added.
Besides, the commissioner traced the causal factor of the accident to the pilot’s decision to operate a visual flight rule (VFR) after sunset as well as inadequate oversight by the regulatory authority.
At the time the accident occurred, Olateru said the aircraft and two Bell helicopters which belonged to Taraba State government were under the maintenance and operational control of the Ministry of Works and Transport, Taraba State Government.
However, he said MWTTSG did not have the maintenance and operational capabilities to support the operation of 5N-BMJ.
“There was no evidence to suggest that MWTTSG had a permit to fly for non-commercial flight (PNCF) as required by Nig.CARs part 18.2.4: Air Transport Economic Regulations,” he added.
The AIB commissioner also said before the arrival of the rescue team to the accident site, the locals had rescued the occupants from the wreckage.
“The investigation observed that the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFFS) personnel at Yola Airport have not undergone initial/recurrent physical fitness test and basic life support training,” he added.
AIB made two safety recommendations.
“The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) should take appropriate action to relocate the existing control tower at Yola Airport in order to enhance the aerial view of the approach path of runway 35 from the tower.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) should ensure all pertinent regulations with regards to the operations of the aircraft and certification of all relevant personnel and facilities of the ministry of works and transport, Taraba State government are appropriately complied with,” it stated.
It would be recalled that after the crash, Suntai was left bedridden, shuttling from one overseas hospital to the other before he died in Suntai village, Bali local government area of the state on June 28, 2017.
