In line with its mandate to investigate accidents and incidents in all modes of transportation in Nigeria, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has started investigation into the boat mishap that occurred at Kpada community in Pategi Local Government Area of Kwara State, on Monday night 12 June 2023.
This was made known on Thursday by the Director General of NSIB, Engr. Akin Olateru during a press conference held at Corporate Headquarters, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on Thursday June 15, 2023.
Speaking on the Kwara boat mishap, Olateru said information at the disposal of the Bureau indicated that there were about 250 passengers on board the ill fated boat which took off at Egboti village in Niger State, by the time it capsized.
He said 144 passengers were rescued while 106 fatalities have been recorded in the mishap.
“From reports gathered thus far, the boat was said to have conveyed not less than 250 passengers from a village called Egboti in Niger State. Information received also reveal that 106 fatalities have been recorded and the total of 144 passengers have been rescued so far,” Olateru said.
The NSIB boss also gave the preliminary report on the serious incident which involved a Max Air aircraft on May 7, 2023 between takeoff at Yola Airport and landing on the runway of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja.
He gave the details of the aircraft used to operate the flight as a Boeing 737-400 aircraft operated by Max Air Limited with nationality and registration marks 5N-MBD.
Olateru said preliminary investigation into the incident revealed that some lapses were observed in the operation of the flight.
Some of which he identified as lack of thorough supervision of the action of the break unit and wheel change on the aircraft.
“The quality control department did not supervise the maintenance action of the brake unit and wheel change on 5N-MBD conducted on May 5, 2023,” the report said.
The Bureau however recommended that Max Air Limited Quality Assurance should ensure maintenance activities are supervised and monitored in accordance with Maintenance Control Manual whie NCAA should;
(a) Conduct regular safety management system (SMS) assessments to evaluate the capability of Max Air limited to effectively manage safety.
(b) Ensure that the PMI and POI of Max Air Limited increase surveillance and oversight to ensure maintenance and flight operations are carried out in accordance with NCAA Technical Guidance Material (TGM) Volume IV (Airworthiness Inspector’s Handbook) Chapter 23 (Continuing Surveillance) and TGM Volume III Flight Operations Inspector’s Handbook Chapter 30 (Continuing Surveillance).
Max Air Limited should ensure that flight crew display good situational awareness and airmanship at all times during conduct of flight operations in accordance with Max Air ops manual.
NCAA should invoke the relevant sections of Nig.CARs 2015 in accordance with IS 1.3.3 Legal Enforcement Actions to non-compliant operators with the AOL (NCAA/FSG/AOL/19/03) on continuous overwriting of Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) Information.
NCAA should ensure FAAN/NAMA provide uninterrupted power supply in order to avoid vulnerability of their
NCAA should invoke the relevant sections of Nig.CARs 2015 in accordance with IS 1.3.3 Legal Enforcement Actions to non-compliant operators with the AOL (NCAA/FSG/AOL/19/03) on continuous overwriting of Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) Information.
For NSIB to meet its mandate to the country, the Chief Executive Officer has called on local, state, federal agencies and other relevant stakeholders to maintain effective cooperation and collaboration so as to ensure transportation safety.
