How Emirates clipped plane rudder, Bristow crashed into Lagos Lagoon-Report
*Proceed at “pilot’s discretion” controllers tell crew
The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) yesterday released four more final accident reports involving Bristow Helicopters (Nig.) Limited Sikorsky S-76C helicopter, registration 5N-BGD, Oworonsoki, Lagos, which occurred on August 12, 2015
Also released were reports on the serious incident involving an Emirates Boeing 777-200 aircraft with registration A6-EWD and a parked Boeing 737-400 aircraft belonging to HAK Air with registration 5N-BOU which occurred at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, on July 6, 2015; report on the serious incident involving Aero Contractors Nig. Ltd Boeing 737–42C aircraft with Registration 5N–
The most intriguing of the incidents was one involving Emirates Flight UAE782, a Boeing 777, with registration A6-EWD, scheduled passenger flight, Lagos to Dubai, with 15 crew and 285 passengers on board, called the Tower for start-up.
The report noted that the control tower advised pilots that runway 18R was not available due to repair of the runway edge lights.
The crew asked for when the runway would be available. The Tower reported that the time was not determined but 18L was available. After determining the aircraft take-off performance, the crew accepted to use runway 18L.
Thereafter, the tower advised pilots of the Dubai bound flight that taxiing via Taxiway C for Runway 18L would be at Pilot’s discretion due aircraft wing span.
Giving a vivid account of the incident, Commissioner, AIB, Akin Olateru, an aircraft engineer after engine start, taxi clearance was granted via Taxiway F, and to report crossing Runway 18L via Link 4, then via Taxiway C to the holding point runway 18L.
However, the crew commenced the taxi and impacted a HAK Air Boeing 737-400 aircraft parked at the parking bay of the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), close to holding point runway 18L, at about 21:38hrs, damaging the rudder and the tail area of the HAK Air aircraft, while the Emirates aircraft sustained damage to its right wing tip.
The crew according to the report confirmed that they stopped the taxi as soon as they felt the impact and made calls to the appropriate authorities about the incident.
Olateru further stated that the crew decided to continue the taxi via taxiway C to runway 18L after air traffic controllers had advised aircraft to proceed at “Pilot’s discretion”.
He further disclosed that the non-adherence to Emirates taxi policies especially in a congested area was the causal factor of the incident.
Other contributory factor included inadequate lighting at the Apron of the General Aviation Terminal, faded markings and non-enforcement of parking regulations at the General Aviation Apron led to the incident just as the incorrectly parked aircraft on the remote parking area adjacent to taxiway C of the runway.
The agency recommended that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) should make lighting at the General Aviation Apron parking area serviceable; prepare its work schedule to include a time-frame so as to enable stakeholders plan appropriately; endeavour to make the taxiway B Runway 18L/36R leading to the holding point 18L Link 1 available to traffic from the International wing of the airport and make apron markings at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) legible and enforce Standard parking practice.
On the Bristow Helicopter Sikorsky S-76C helicopter that crashed into the Lagos Lagoon, the helicopter was said to have experienced sudden un-commanded pitch up, yaw, and roll for about 12 seconds until it impacted water at about 15:31hrs. Six persons died including the two crew and there were six survivors.
The pilots were neither able to make any form of distress call to ATC, SEDCO Express rig nor communicate with the passengers before impact.
Rescue Operation was swift, prompt and carried out by local fishermen who were in the area. There were six fatalities, including two crew members and six seriously injured passengers. The crewmembers were recovered the following day. The helicopter was destroyed but there was no post-impact fire.
As part of its safety recommendation, AIB called on Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation to redesign the affected control pushrod assembly by introducing wire lock or lock pins as safety features between the Jam nut and the Pushrod to enhance better security and safety.
Olateru stated that accident investigation is a strong pillar of safety in the aviation industry and making the report available timely is as critical as accident Investigation itself.
The purpose of accident investigation, however, is not to apportion blame or liability but to prevent future recurrence of similar incidents.
His words, “In April this year, we released six final accident and serious incident reports. This is in line with our promise at the inception of this administration in AIB that the outstanding occurrence reports would be cleared swiftly even as new accident investigation reports will be released expeditiously”.
“Today we are making available to the public the outcome of our investigations into two accidents and two serious incidents. This is a remarkable achievement in our pursuit of aligning AIB to its core mandate”.
These safety recommendations according to him have impacted air safety positively not only in Nigeria, but globally.
