Non-Civilian air mishaps matters arising.

Aviation Nigeria
By Tahir Sherriff

In the wake of the recent tragic helicopter accident which claimed the lives of six people including the Governor of Kaduna State Ibrahim Patrick Yakowa and immediate former National Security Adviser General Andrew Azazi. There have been attempts to play the blame game with accusing fingers being pointed at the Ministry of Aviation. It is thus essential to bring the matter into a broader understanding.

The accusations come in an alignment with the recent crash, and in general, the volume of airplane crashes in the year 2012 alone. Four other crashes that had equally thrown the country into national mourning this year include: A national police aircraft crash in Rukuba road, Kabong area of Jos killing DIG John Haruna and his aide, Dana Airlines flight 9J 992 crash killing 153 passengers and residents of Iju Ishaga, a Nigerian cargo plane in Ghana leading to ten deaths, and the crash of an aircraft flown by Governor of Taraba State Danababa Suntai.

In a bid to properly address the blame issue and clarify responsibilities that accompany such critical circumstances, it is important to note that other than the Dana Air crash and the Nigerian Cargo plane crash in Ghana, the Aviation authorities have no form of control over the remaining events.

There is currently no legal framework compelling all air crafts, helicopters or jet usage in use in Nigeria whether belonging to the military or for civilian to come under the supervisory and monitoring purview of the Federal Ministry of Aviation. Two of these five crashes that have claimed the lives of Nigerians were entirely not under the jurisdiction or control of the Aviation Ministry or any of its agencies

The ill-fated crash in Jos which claimed the life of the DIG John Haruna was under the command and control of the Nigerian Police Force, there are pointers to the fact that Suntai flew from a daylight Air Strip at a time when it was almost dusk and the recent helicopter crash that has claimed the lives of two high profile leaders was in the control, command and authority of the Nigerian Navy. In line with such events it is best to enable regulations that ensure proper and full authority is accorded to those who are tasked with such responsibility.

CIVIL SOCIETY AVIATION COALITION (CSAC) a non-governmental coalition group with focus on aviation safety have canvassed for the implementation of comprehensive measures to bring the operations of all civilian and military aircrafts under the supervision of the aviation experts that work in the Federal Ministry of Aviation so that the highest maintenance standards and ethical code of conduct is adhered to as practiced in other countries around the globe. By implementing such measures it is hoped that stricter and more regulated air safety compliance’s will better guarantee the lives of Nigerians.

The group urged President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Assembly to consider ways and means of introducing a workable legal framework to make it compulsory that all aircraft including military helicopters and private jets are monitored to ensure the highest standards of maintenance and safety to fly on Nigerian airspace by the nation’s Aviation authority in the Federal Ministry of Aviation.

In a bid to address the responsibility situation caused by the recent helicopter crash, the Chief of Training and Operations of the Nigerian Navy, in a press release said that a board had been constituted at a news conference in Abuja on Monday in order to unravel the remote and immediate causes of the helicopter crash.

He stated clearly that the Nigerian Navy had pooled together Nigerian technical military aircraft investigation specialists, and foreign personnel, who have been drawn from Agusta Westland, the manufacturer of the ill-fated aircraft with help from other aviation regulatory agencies as provided by extant regulations to investigate the crash.

In the continuing analysis it has become clear that this does not come under the purview of the NCAA, however, these tragic losses end up affecting the nation at large. But more importantly, still, is the question, on what is to be done to avoid such tragic incidences in the future.

Navy Sets Up Board To Unravel Cause Of Helicopter Crash.

Aviation Nigeria

The Nigerian Navy has constituted a board to unravel the remote and immediate causes of its helicopter, which crashed in Bayelsa on Saturday, Rear Adm Emmanuel Ogbor, has said. 

Ogbor, who is the Chief of Training and Operations, announced the constitution of the board at a news conference in Abuja on Monday.

He said that the members, who are aircraft investigation specialists, are drawn from Agusta Westland, the manufacturer of the ill-fated aircraft and other aviation regulatory agencies as provided by extant regulations.

Ogbor said that some components of the helicopter that could assist the board to carry out its investigation had been recovered.

 ``It is expected that the board will come out with the remote and immediate causes of the accident with far reaching recommendations that will forestall future occurrence,’’ he said. 

Ogbor explained that the Navy’s helicopters, including the NN07, which crashed on Saturday, were properly maintained and serviced regularly, in accordance with the manufacturer’s specification.

He said that the ill-fated helicopter’s routine maintenance was concluded on Nov. 10 and was cleared for operations on Nov. 20 by certified technical support engineers.

``At the time of the incident, the helicopter had flown 1,704 flight hours and had more than 80 flight hours before the next scheduled routine maintenance.

``The Nigerian Navy pilots are very experienced. In fact, the captain in command has flown over 800 hours, while the co-pilot had flown over 300 hours.

``All our pilots are trained in the best aviation institutions all over the world.

``Additionally, spare parts for the helicopters are obtained directly from the manufacturers (Agusta Westland) and or its approved maintenance centre worldwide,’’ he said.

On the age of the ill-fated aircraft, Ogbor said that it was inducted into the Navy in 2004 directly from the manufacturer.

Navy Confirms Crash Of Its Helicopter.

Sky Watch Nigeria.

THE Nigerian Navy last night confirmed the crash of its Agusta helicopter around the Nembe-Okoroba area of Bayelsa State.

In a Press statement released by Naval Headquarters, Naval spokesman Commodore Kabir Aliyu said: “A Nigerian Navy Agusta helicopter (helo 07) crashed today Saturday 15 December 2012 at about 3:30pm around Nembe-Okoroba area in Bayelsa State, the helicopter was conveying Very Important Personalities (VIPs) to Port Harcourt from Okoroba village.”

He further added: “Search and rescue operation is on-going by a combined team of personnel from Joint Task Force (OPS PULO SHIELD), Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, NEMA and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps. Further details on the crash will be made available as received.”

Sources say that Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, former Governor of Kaduna State and immediate past National Security Adviser, Gen Andrew Owoye Azazi were burnt to death in the helicopter crash. 

The source also added that Mr. Yakowa, had earlier arrived the venue of the interdenominational service of the burial of the father of Presidential Adviser, Oronto Douglas, with Seriake Dickson governor of Bayelsa State, Gen Azazi, former governor of Bauchi State Alhaji Adamu Muazu, Oba Otudeko, Mr. Timi Alaibe and other top government functionaries.

The crashed Helo 07 was one of the two helicopters at the burial venue. The other conveyed the Chief of staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe who represented President, Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu, Private Principal Secretary to the President, Mr Mohammed Tukur and the immediate past Presidential Spokesman, Mr Ima Niboro.

SOURCE: The Guardian.

Governor Yakowa, Azazi as victims of Bayelsa Helicopter crash.

Sky Watch Nigeria.

A military Helicopter which reportedly crashed in Bayelsa state has claimed the life of Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State and former National Security Adviser Andrew Owoye Azazi.

Governor Yakowa and Mr. Azazi, a retired military general who served as chief security adviser to 

President Goodluck Jonathan, Dudas Tsoho, Azazi’s orderly, the pilot and his co-pilot  were said to be on board the helicopter when it crashed.

The Nigeria's National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) indicated that the agency had activated a search for a crashed helicopter.

Governor Yakowa and Mr. Azazi were among many political figures who reportedly attended the burial of the father of senior presidential aide Oronto Douglas. The funeral event took place in the Nembe area of Bayelsa State earlier today reports say that the crashed helicopter was one of several helicopters that some well-connected people to the funeral.

The crash is another recent tragedy claiming people of national interest on the heels of a plane crash on October 25, 2012 that has left Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State brain-damaged.