LOSS OF VISUAL CONTACT RESPONSIBLE FOR OSINBAJO’S PLANE CRASH, SAYS INVESTIGATION BUREAU
The Commissioner presenting the reports exactly 11 days after incident added that, during the landing, at about 50 R to touchdown, a heavy brownout enveloped the helicopter and the crew lost visual contact with the ground.
“The findings revealed that the helicopter had a valid Certificate of Air Worthiness. But the operators, Caverton Helicopters Ltd., failed to carry out risk assessment test of the Kabba Stadium prior to the flight’.
‘Caverton Helicopters Ltd. did not conduct site survey of the landing field prior to this flight. Caverton Helicopters Ltd. did not carry out safety and risk assessment of the landing area prior to dispatch of the flight. The helicopter hovered to land in a brownout condition.”
Penpushing further reports that, Olateju explained that the crash landing of the Agusta Westland W139 Chopper, with registration number 5N-CML, was due to brownout, explaining that in aviation, a brownout is an in-flight restriction of visibility during the landing of a helicopter usually due to sand or dust in the air.
The Commissioner also stated that, the investigation was conducted using information gathered from the witness statements, flight recorders, Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) and Data, Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) and included preliminary inspection of the accident site and the wreckage.
Penpushing also reports that, commissioner disclosed that drug and alcohol test for the crew could not be carried out, but affirmed that they were properly licensed and adequately rested to operate the flight.
“During the landing, at about 50 R to touchdown, a heavy brownout enveloped the helicopter and the crew lost visual contact with the ground. The Co-Pilot called out radio altimeter 35, 30, 25, 20, 15 and no more’.
“At about 14:34 hour (2.34pm), the helicopter touched down hard on the right main landing gear and rolled over to the right. The crew carried out Emergency Landing Procedures which included immediate engine shutdown, fuel shut OFF, battery switch OFF, and generators switch OFF’ Olateru said.
Penpushing also reports that, Olateru said the bureau had, as part of the safety recommendations, directed the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to issue an Advisory Circular to all helicopter operators flying in Nigeria to be alert of the possibility and the effect of brownout.
The commissioner said, this was to ensure that appropriate procedures were put in place to mitigate its effect(s), adding that the Accident Investigation Bureau(AIB) also advised Caverton Helicopters Ltd. to ensure that flight operations were carried out in accordance with the company’s approved operations manual.
Penpushing further reports that, Olateru said this include site survey and proper safety risk analysis are done before dispatching any helicopter to unapproved landing pads.
