AIB Awaits Detailed Investigation on Crashed Associated Aviation Flight

AIB Awaits Detailed Investigation on Crashed Associated Aviation Flight

The Accident Investigation Bureau,Friday said that it was still waiting for more detailed Investigation on the engine of the crashed Embraer 120 operated by Associated Aviation Limited.

The Aircraft with registration number, 5N-BJY‎ Crashed on October 3, 2013 on take off at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos on its way to deliver the remains of  former Minister of Aviation and former Governor of Ondo state, Olusegun Agagu, to Akure, Ondo State.

The crash which killed 16 people was caused by pilot error, according to initial report by the Accident Investigation Bureau.

Commissioner of AIB, Dr. Felix Abali, said although Investigations into the crash had reached an advanced stage, the bureau was still waiting for the outcome of the engine teardown, including the Aircraft  propeller systems to be able to reach certain conclusions on the Investigations.

Abali who spoke at the one year anniversary of the crash in Abuja stated that the Aircraft components were sent to Canada and the United States of America to determine why the propeller went into auto feather during take off.

He said the Aircraft with 20 passengers on board experienced a power loss on the right engine propeller resulting in auto feathering Activation on takeoff from runway 19L of the Airport.

He stated that the purpose of the Investigation was to prevent Aviation Accident and incident, noting that it was not to apportion blame or liability.

In accordance with Annex 13 to the convention on International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and Nigerian Civil Aviation Aircraft Accident Investigation Regulations 2006, this is an interim statement being issued at the 1st anniversary of the accident to provide an update on the status of the investigation. The purpose of this investigation is to prevent aviation accident and incident, It is not to apportion blame or liability.

The Investigation has examined available factual, operational, and technical evidences to identify causal and contributory factors involved in the accident.

Investigative reviews of the engine tear down, especially the aircraft propeller systems are still ongoing in the USA to determine why the propeller of the right engine auto feathered on takeoff. Further test and research on selected components is still being carried out with engine and aircraft manufacturers. Safety issues associated with operations of the Airline at the time of the accident are being evaluated.

The draft final report is currently in progress in accordance with ICAO annex 13 and will be released as soon as the Investigation report is completed.

Abali recalled that the bureau had earlier released a preliminary report based on the initial readout and analysis of Flight 361’s Flight recorders recovered from the crashed Aircraft, which revealed loss of thrust on the right engine on take off.

He said investigations had also been examining areas of focus highlighted in the preliminary report stating that it included mechanical and electronic engine control issues related to the Right engine and Right engine propeller systems, aural warnings related to auto feather and the flap settings required for takeoff and take off configuration issues with respect to flap settings.
He stated that Airline management’s safety culture fostered throughout the Airline is also being Investigated.

Investigation has also been examining areas of focus highlighted in the preliminary report. These include mechanical and electronic engine control issues related to the Right engine and Right engine propeller systems, aural warnings related to auto feather and the flap settings required for takeoff and take off configuration issues with respect to flap settings.

Others are crew decision making and training with respect to proceeding with the flight despite concerns regarding the aircraft’s suitability for flight, when and how the number two engine fire handle was pulled, standard operating procedures with respect to continuing the take-off roll despite continuous automated voice warnings of both take off flaps and auto feather when there was ample time to abort the take off, he said.

Also being examined is the airline management’s safety culture fostered throughout the Airline.

USA based International Airports,
Bangalore International Airport,
Mumbai International Airport,
Cochin International Airport,
Dubai International Airport,
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport,
Indira Gandhi International Airport,
International Airports in India,
Murtala Muhammed International Airport,
International Civil Aviation Organisation,
Aircraft Accident Investigation Regulations 2006,



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