The reports of Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) released today on two accidents and one incident that occurred in the country between 2008 and 2017, has said the flight crew of the crashed Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Bell 427 helicopter with registration 5N-POL at Kabong, Jos South LGA, Plateau State, Nigeria on March 14, 2012 was culpable.
The crash led to the death of the Deputy Inspector of Police (DIG) In-charge of Operations, Haruna John, The Pilot, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Garba Yalwa,, the copilot, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Alexander Pwol-Ja and the ordely to the DIG, Sergeant Sonatian Shirunam.
Stating the probable causal factors of the accident the accident investigation bureau said, the cause of the accident cannot be conclusively decided but the investigation discovered series of discrepancies and non-compliance with Nig.CARs:
Pilot:
- The pilot’s medical had expired as at the time of accident,
- Simulator recurrency had expired as at the time of accident.
Co-pilot:
- The co-pilot was not type rated on the helicopter (Bell 427).
Engineer:
- The engineer that released the aircraft prior to the flight had no type training and type rating on the aircraft type.
AIB which made three safety recommendations to forestall reoccurrence
4.1 Safety Recommendation 2017-001
That the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Air-Wing should provide the proper funding, conducive working environment, develop and implement a robust training programme for its technical/operational personnel, with adequate supervision and approved equipment to enhance safety.
4.2 Safety Recommendation 2017-002
NCAA should ensure that NPF Air-Wing complies with its Approved Maintenace Organisation (AMO) requirements.
4.3 Safety Recommendation 2017-003
NCAA and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) should launch an independent inquiry into Aviation fuel quality in Nigeria. The resulting report should focus on the vulnerability and risk of each step in the distribution process. This should yield firmer regulatory oversight mechanism that ensures international quality of aviation fuels used in Nigeria.
