preliminary report of the helicopter crash involving Agusta Westland W
139 Caverton Helicopters which flew Vice President to Kabba in Kogi
State on February 2nd.
Speaking at a briefing at its headquarters at the Murtala Muhammed
International Airport, Lagos today Wednesday February 13th, AIB
Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Akin Olateru, said preliminary
report shows the helicopter crash was atrributed to the effects of a
blown out generator during its landing in a dry dusty environment. The
report said Caverton should have carried out risk assessment test at the
Kaaba stadium before the flight.
Olateru said though the investigation into the crash is ongoing, it
has however issued two safety recommendations to the Nigerian Civil
Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the operator : Caverton Helicopters
Limited. He added that the NCAA should issue advisory circular to
helicopter operators on the effects of brown out and how to mitigate its
effects. The second safety recommendation, Olateru said is for Caverton
Helicopters to carry out proper risk analysis and assessment before
operating flights into unapproved landing pad.
Olateru said the final report on the accident will be released in a few months.
