The National Safety Investigation Bureau NSIB today released four final reports involving various accidents investigated by the bureau which occurred at different times.
The four (4) reports released contain a total twenty (20) safety recommendations addressed to relevant entities within the transportation system with a view to prevent future recurrence of such accident or serious incidents when fully implemented.
It emphasized that, “the main objective of the NSIB investigations is the improvement of transportation safety
through the conduct of thorough, professional and unbiased investigations into the circumstances the occurrences to determine causes and contributing factors in order to make safety recommendations to prevent future occurrence. it is not the purpose of the investigations to apportion blame or liability”.
Among the final reports, is the recent Dana Air incident in Lagos where the aircraft on landing veered off the runway on April 23, 2024.
Earlier in its preliminary report on the incident, the NSIB had attributed the problem to landing gear issue.
At a news conference in Abuja, the bureau also highlighted this problem and issue safety recommendations.
In it final report, the safety recommendations as read out by the Director, Transport Investigation urged, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority to ensure Dana Air Limited comply with timely use of checklist, Quick Reference Handbook particularly at critical phases of flight when dealing with abnormal and emergency situations in line with standard company operating procedures, adhere to standard phraseology in communicating indication malfunctions during Abnormal or Emergency operations.
“The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority should review Dana Air Limited training program and Standard Operating Procedures with a view to highlighting Crew Resource Management (CRM)
and Threat and Error Management (TEM) as tools in management of abnormal or emergency operations”.
While the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency is to ensure that Air Traffic Controllers always insist on communication of specific malfunction with standard phraseology, in this instance, the use of “indicated system malfunction…” rather than “GEAR DISAGREE.
Other reports released include, collision between a lavatory service truck operated by SAHCO and parked Boeing 737-300 aircraft operated by Max Air in Abuja, 21 November, 2021, serious incident involving Embraer 145LR operated by Air Peace at the Kaduna airport on 14 January, 2021 and boat accident at one nautical mile from Onono Jetty in Anambra state en route Asaba Jetty on 10 April, 2024.
In their various safety recommendations, the NSIB on the Max Air incident says,
SAHCO plc should ensure availability of adequate manpower at the ramp to cater for different operations occurring simultaneously and that its operations are well coordinated and adequately implemented.
On Air Peace, the bureau safety recommendation says, the airline improve its internal oversight over its aircraft maintenance activities to ensure procedures are appropriately followed to promptly identify and remedy trends of deviation from the established standards, including the identification
and rectification of excessive hydraulic fluid depletion.
While the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority should enhance its oversight of Kaduna airport to ensure operations are conducted in compliance with the relevant provisions of the Nigeria Civil
Aviation Regulations, including compliance with Part 12.6.16.10 regarding regular testing of response time to evaluate effectiveness of the Fire-fighting service of the airport, amongst others.
On the boat accident, Bureau recommended, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to ensure that all boats involved in commercial activities (goods and passengers) within the national inland waterways are registered, adequate safety measures are implemented and enforced in our inland waterways.
“Increase the sensitization and enlightenment of boat operators on safe operations and security along the Anam river and our inland waterways”.
“Provide training to local fishermen and boat association members as rescue divers so as to provide prompt rescue in the event of an occurrence in our inland waterways”.
