A recent preliminary report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has cast a spotlight on the inadequacies of Flints Aero Services Ltd, the airline responsible for the crash landing that involved the Minister for Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, and nine others at Ibadan Airport in November.
The report, released by the NSIB, indicates that the crew lacked sufficient experience in night-time flight operations, raising concerns about the airline’s adherence to safety regulations.
The NSIB findings pointed to a series of alarming violations committed by Flints Aero Services Ltd, including the alleged breach of its Air Operator Certificate issued by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.
The incident unfolded on November 3 during the minister’s flight from Abuja to Ibadan Airport, culminating in a crash landing that left the aircraft substantially damaged.
According to the report, the airline had been issued a Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF), explicitly restricting the use of the aircraft for the carriage of passengers, cargo, or mail for hire or reward.
The aircraft, departing from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, was operating under an Instrument Flight Rules flight plan as a charter flight bound for Ibadan Airport in Oyo state.
The NSIB report disclosed that the aircraft, carrying a total of 10 persons, had a fuel endurance of three hours.
However, the permit explicitly stated that the aircraft should not be used for the carriage of passengers, cargo, or mail for hire or reward.
The violation of this permit raised significant concerns about the airline’s compliance with aviation regulations.
The investigation further revealed that, despite being licensed and qualified, the flight crew had limited night flying experience. The captain, in particular, had only accumulated 49 night flying hours.
The aircraft’s landing mishap occurred when it touched down on the grass verge, 220m from the runway threshold, veering right and crossing the runway shoulder without evident braking on the runway.
In response to these findings, the NSIB issued safety recommendations aimed at various stakeholders in the aviation sector.
Among them, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) was urged to strictly observe airport operational hours. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) was called upon to ensure that Flints Aero Services Limited operates within approved limits, and the airline itself was advised to ensure that its flight crew gains sufficient night-time flight experience. Additionally, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) received a recommendation to clear the overgrown grass verge at the airport.
In a related development, the NSIB also released a report on an incident involving a Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft owned by FLYFORVALUE Aviation Limited at Port Harcourt International Airport on November 14, 2023.
The report highlighted the importance of adherence to airport operational hours and recommended strict compliance by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.
These revelations from the NSIB underscore the critical need for vigilance and adherence to safety protocols within the aviation industry, ensuring the protection of passengers, crew, and the public at large.
