The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has explained why the AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter ferrying Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo crashed in of Kogi State last year.
It could be recalled that a chopper carrying Vice-President Osinbajo and eleven others onboard crashed on February 2, 2019.
The chopper operated by Caverton Helicopters Limited crashed while approaching Kabba in Kogi State.
All twelve passengers and the crew, however, escaped death as the machine crashed upon landing on a football field.
Explaining the cause of the AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter accident on Tuesday, AIB released its findings in a report.
The report was titled, “Final Report on the accident involving AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter operated by Caverton Helicopters Limited with nationality and registration marks 5N-CML, which occurred at Kabba, Kogi State on 2nd February, 2019.”
It was signed by AIB Commissioner, Akin Olateru.
Olateru stated that the crew of the flight, which took off from the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport for Kabba, sighted the intended landing area – a football field – and approached with the speed of 20 kt to about a 100 ft, and entered a hover to land.
“At about 50 ft above ground level, a brownout set in.
“The flight crew lost visual contact with the ground and external surroundings,” he noted.
The loss of visual contact with the ground forced the helicopter into a hard landing and it subsequently rolled onto its right side.
Blaming the crew, the Bureau said that other factors aside the visual disorientation contributed to the incident.
The factors include:
- inappropriate landing technique used,
- non-adherence to company procedures for known or anticipated brownout conditions during landing,
- lack of risk assessment,
- limited landing site preparation and,
- planning prior to commencement of the flight.
In its recommendation, AIB advised the Office of the National Security Adviser to “consider whether the Presidential Air Fleet Unit should be involved in the coordination and preparation of all high profile Executive VIP mission (flights) in order to ensure that all Executive VIP flights are conducted in accordance with the PAF Unit’s Standards and in line with its approved operating procedures.”
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