The late former Governor of Taraba State, Dambaba Suntai who crashed a Cessna aircraft in Yola Airport was yesterday declared by Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) as not qualified to fly the aircraft.
AIB made this known today at a press briefing held at the AIB Safety House, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to release final accident and serious incident reports to the public.
It would be recalled that the former Governor Suntai who survived the air crash died on June 28, 2017 at home where he was undergoing rehabilitation for brain injuries arising from the plane crash.
Speaking on the Report on the Accident involving a Cessna 208B Caravan with Nationality and Registration Marks 5N-BMJ belonging to Ministry of Works and Transport, Taraba State Government, which occurred at Kwanan-Waya Village, Yola South Local Government Area, Adamawa State On 25th October 25 2012, flown by the late former governor, AIB Commissioner, Akin Olateru said the pilot of the aircraft was not certified, not qualified and not competent to operate the aircraft.
Giving a synopsis of the report Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) said it was notified of the accident by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on October 25, 2012. And Investigators were dispatched the following day and to commence investigation. It said all relevant stakeholders were notified accordingly.
Explaining further, Olateru said finding with NCAA showed that neither the pilot nor the ill-fated aircraft have any record of competence or airworthiness with the regulatory agency.
According to the report, on October 25, 2012 at 17:48 h, a Cessna Caravan 208B, 5N-BMJ, departed Jalingo for Yola on a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight plan with four Persons-On-Board (one crew and three passengers). At 18:00 h, the Airport Manager stationed at Jalingo by Taraba State Government, called Yola Control Tower (CT) by phone to advice that the aircraft had departed Jalingo for Yola.
At 18:25 h the pilot reported field in sight. Control Tower then advised him to “continue approach and report final, wind calm” and the pilot acknowledged “will continue approach, to report final”.
At 18:27 hour Control Tower had the aircraft in sight and advised the pilot to report “final, wind calm”, the pilot acknowledged.
At 18:30 hours, Control Tower lost visual contact with 5N-BMJ and tried to raise her on radio but there was no response.
At 18:37 hours, information was received from witnesses, regarding a possible plane crash at Yola-Numan Road close to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) depot. This information was subsequently passed to the fire watch room. Rescue team and other security personnel were mobilized to the location of the crash. However, before the arrival of the rescue team from the airport, the locals had rescued the occupants from the wreckage.
The occupants were subsequently taken to Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yola for medical treatment. The accident occurred at dusk. The aircraft was destroyed.
Though the Bureau claimed it could not conclusively determine the cause of the accident, its investigation identified the followings factors as likely responsible.
The pilot was not certified, qualified and not competent to fly the aircraft, the decision of the pilot to operate a Virtual Flight Rules (VFR) flight after sunset and inadequate oversight by the Regulatory Authority, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The AIB however recommended two safety recommendations:
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.
While 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.
