There are indications that there are more troubles for the operators in the aviation sector, following the crash of the Associated Airline’s plane which was suspended at the weekend.
The Embraer 120 aircraft which was conveying the former Ondo state governor and 20 others crashed in Lagos last Thursday killing not less that 15 on board.
The crisis in the aviation sector is glaring as the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) suspended the operating license of Dana Air claiming it was meant to ensure that the authority carry out an audit of the airline pertinent to its June 3, 2013 crash at Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos.
NCAA spokesman Yakubu Datti, however confirmed the suspension of Dana’s licence “with immediate effect”.
Besides, there was no official motive for the sudden audit, but a source noted that the airline may have had an air return, which is not unusual in the industry.
This marks the third time that Dana Airline’s licence would be been suspended since last year, after the one of its planes crashed killing about 154 passengers aboard.
The airline regained its licence in September last year and resumed operations in January but was suspended again after the battery problem of one its planes at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Meanwhile, the Accident Investigations Bureau (AIB) has begun investigation into another averted air mishap of a Kabo Air B747, in Sokoto last Friday.
In a statement, AIB spokesman, Tunji Oketunbi pointed out that the plane conveying Sauudi Arabia-bound pilgrims was reported to have had tyres by the time it was landing.
“AIB investigators have been dispatched to conduct investigation into the circumstance surrounding the incident with a view to determining the probable cause,” the statement said.
Oketunbi said that AIB was charged with the responsibility to investigate aircraft accidents and serious incidents within the country and where Nigeria interest was represented.
“AIB’s investigation is not to apportion blame or liability but to prevent future recurrence and improve air safety through safety recommendations,’’ he said.
“The Flight Recorder will show the performance of the engine, the aircraft’s speed and direction. It will also indicate the situation of all the systems – the engine, hydraulics etc,” said the source.
It was also learnt that the manufacturers of the Embraer 120, that crashed recently in Lagos will arrive Nigeria this week to support the authorities on the ongoing investigations.
“A team from Brazilian Air Force Embraer is expected this week as soon as the crashed occurred we notified the Brazilian manufacturers and they promised to assist in the investigations”, a source said.
It was gathering that the black box of the Associated Airlines plane will be analysed in-country at the new AIB’s laboratory recently installed by CAE Flightscope of Canada.