The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has submitted an interim report of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) plane crash which occurred on May 21, 2021, after an investigative process which witnessed collaboration between AIB and NAF.
The report which was submitted by the Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of AIB, Engr. Akin Olateru to the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladapo Amao in the latter’s office at NAF headquarters – Abuja, contains twenty-seven (27) initial findings and eight (8) safety recommendations for immediate implementation by the convening authority and other related agencies.
The General Manager of Public Affairs – AIB, Tunji Oketunbi and the Director of Public Affairs – NAF, Air Commodore Edwards Gabkwet who released a joint statement on the report divulged that the document consisted of three sections: information obtained during the investigative process, data analysis and conclusion.
According to the AIB boss, his agency’s involvement in the investigation was due to the fact that even though the accident involved a military jet and crew, it occurred in a civil airport. It was therefore AIB’s prerogative to provide answers from the civil aviation perspective.
Engr. Olateru went on to say that following the approval of the Chief of Air Staff, copies of the report will be forwarded to the Minister of Aviation and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority so that the stipulated recommendations can be implemented as soon as possible.
On his part, Air Marshal Amao termed the collaboration a successful one in which both sides were equally receptive and transparent in the execution of their duties – qualities which according to him, can only lead to improving safety in the Nigerian aviation industry.
Sources say the final report is expected to feature the readout of the flight data recorder, the reviewed operators’ and service providers’ standard operating procedures and other comprehensive analyses.
