The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has released preliminary reports for the on-going investigation into the serious incidents involving Delta Air Airbus A330-223 aircraft with registration N858NW, which occurred after take-off from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on February 13, 2018.
The bureau also released the preliminary reports on the accident involving the DANA Air MD – 83 marked 5N-SRI that overran the runway at the Port Harcourt International Airport on March 5,2018 and the accident involving Gulfstream G200 aircraft belonging to Nestor Oil with registration number 5N-BTF, which occurred at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on January 25, 2018.
According to AIB, the reports contain factual information on the three occurrences and not their probable causes as investigations are still ongoing.
They include information gathered from witnesses’ statements and preliminary inspection of the aircraft and the accident sites.
AIB Commissioner Akin Olateru, while commenting on the release of the reports, reiterated the agency’s commitment to release reports promptly to enhance safety.
“We are seriously committed to releasing investigation reports on time. This is one way to ensure that such occurrences are prevented from repeating themselves and conform with the purpose of accident investigation.”
According to the report, the Delta A330-223 aircraft was on a schedule flight with 221 passengers and 13 crew on board , when it made an air return few minutes after take-off following a fire warning on one of the engines.
The aircraft landed at about 2259hrs and stopped on runway 18R.
The Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (ARFFS) reported observing fire on one of engines and extinguished it. Passengers were evacuated using the emergency slides on the right side of the aircraft. One passenger sustained serious injury. Eleven suffered minor injuries.
It reads: “Initial Findings by AIB indicated that the flight crew were certified and qualified to conduct the flight in accordance with applicable FAA regulations. Number One engine fire warning came on about a minute after take-off, while the crew at 2252.25hrs contacted ATC and declared emergency.
“The report stated that the aircraft landed at about 2259hrs and stopped on runway 18R, where the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Service first reported observing smoke, and fire on the Number One engine.
“AIB also reported that there was evidence of fire within the engine cowling, even as the two fire extinguishers on the engine were discharged.
“A commotion was reported onboard the aircraft before the evacuation.
“Investigation is still ongoing and further investigative actions may include engine examination, material testing for the fuel manifolds, engine oil and hydraulic lines, inspection of fuel manifolds for crack and inspection of fuel nozzle braze joints for leaks.”
On Dana Air MD-83, the report indicated that it took off from Abuja and had an uneventful flight to Port Harcourt and was cleared to land by the Air Traffic Control.
It reads: “The crew reported that the runway had experienced recent rain before arrival and after touch down, looked and felt contaminated with flood of water that did not drain well.
“Other findings include the fact that after the aircraft came to a complete stop, emergency evacuation was carried out using only the left forward main door and the escape slide on this door did not deploy just as the Public Address System did not work.
“The Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Service arrived during the evacuation and all persons onboard were evacuated unhurt.”
According to AIB, it was notified about the accident involving Nestor Oil Gulf Stream 200 aircraft by Abuja Air Traffic Control (ATC) on Thursday January 25, 2018.
The aircraft was operating a chartered flight service to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja (DNAA) with four passengers and three crew onboard.
