..Set To Release Final Reports On Air Accidents
Yemisi Izuora
The Accident Investigation Bureau AIB, has rallied stakeholders on the proposed amendments to the Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations, 2016 and discuss the promotion of aviation safety.
Engr. Akin Olateru, Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of AIB in his keynote address at the forum, said that there is need to constantly review and amend our regulations to meet global standards, and the stakeholders input is of great importance, ‘This is in conformance with international best practices’ and that is the only way we can remain on track and will also guide the agency in carrying out its statutory functions and activities, he stressed.
The Commissioner who was not happy with the absence of Airline CEOs at such an important forum that has to do with them, because airlines operators are key in the Aviation Business, urged their representatives to take the message home and advised the principals to change their attitudes towards things like this because they must comply with the regulations.
Olateju said that AIB has been repositioned and is now a force to be recon with in the International communities. According to him, the Bureau is now a leading force in investigation of accidents and incidents across the globe. ” we have signed MOUs with some countries like Republic of Benin, Sao Tomme, and France to assist in investigation of accidents in French speaking African Countries.”
The Commissioner further said it will release the final reports on one serious air incident and five accidents as part of its mandate of accident investigations.
The commissioner and chief executive officer of AIB, Mr. Akin Olateru disclosed this during the “Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) Stakeholders Forum” held in Lagos.
The reports, according to him are: Report on the serious incident involving an Airbus A330-223 aircraft operated by Delta airlines Inc. with registration N858NW on February 13, 2018.
Report on the accident involving a Cessna 208B Caravan belonging to the Ministry of Works and Transport, Taraba State with registration 5N-BMJ on October 25, 2012.
Report on the accident involving a Diamond DA40D aircraft operated by International Aviation College (IAC) with registration 5N-BRD on November 25, 2013.
Report on the accident involving Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Ltd Sikorsky S76C++ helicopter with registration 5N-BQJ on February 3, 2016.
Report on the accident involving a Gulfstream 200 aircraft operated by Nestoil Ltd. with registration 5N-BTF on January 20, 2018.
Report on the accident involving an MD-83 aircraft operated by Dana Airlines Ltd with registration 5N-SRI on February 20, 2018
Olateru said AIB had in the past years focused on improving its investigation processes which led to the release of numerous outstanding reports and timely investigation and reporting of ALL recent occurrences.
Explaining further, he said from 2007 to 2017, the country experienced 28 accidents, 27 serious incidence and 3 incidents
On its achievements, , Olateru said AIB had released final reports on 23 accidents, 15 serious incidents and one incident, including the publication of a safety bulletin and 154 safety recommendations.
Commenting on how investigations are managed at AIB, Olateru said: “Investigations are handled by groups rather than individual investigators. Training of all Air Safety Investigators in accident investigation practices through partnerships with Cranfield University, UK, Southern California Safety Institute and on the job training with sister agencies such as the US National Transport and Safety Board and Singapore’s TSIB.
“AIB has newly established Safety & Security Department as a support mechanism to accident investigation on and off site. Training of first responders, management of safety/security policies and investigation tools (the Go-Kit).
“There is also a review of reports by industry experts and professional proof reading while there is also peer review of investigation processes by world renown accident investigators. This led to the introduction of a document management system amongst other things. Safety Recommendation Committee Report to determine implementation levels and effectiveness,” he said.
The commissioner also pointed out that the recently upgraded flight safety laboratory (FSL) and the training of personnel on its capabilities meet the evolving demands of accident investigation in line with international standard.
“The FSL is capable of simulating animations based on data from the Flight Data Recorders (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)”, he added.