The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has made startling disclosures regarding the January 26, 2022, Bell 429 helicopter accident operated by the Nigeria Police Air Wing. According to the final report released on Tuesday, the Pilot in Command (PIC) of the ill-fated flight was not qualified to operate the helicopter, and the permit for the flight had expired years before the incident....Read Full Article >>➤
Pilot’s Lack of Qualification
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the NSIB Director General, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., revealed that while the co-pilot was certified, licensed, and fully competent to serve as either PIC or co-pilot, the same could not be said for the PIC. Despite holding a valid license and type rating as Second in Command (SIC) for the Bell 429 helicopter, the PIC lacked the necessary type rating and privileges to act as the lead pilot for that specific flight.
Captain Badeh highlighted regulatory lapses, stating:
“The pilot was not eligible to conduct that flight exercising the privileges and authorities of the Pilot in Command, having not met the requirements stipulated in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs 2015).”
These shortcomings violated sections 2.3.1.3, 2.3.2.1, and 8.14.9.4 of Nig.CARs 2015, further underscoring a significant oversight in crew qualification and competency.
Expired Flight Permit
The investigation also revealed that the Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) issued by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to the Nigeria Police Air Wing (NPAW) had expired in September 2017 and was never renewed. This critical lapse meant the flight was improperly authorized and operated in clear violation of Subpart 8.14 of Nig.CARs 2015, which governs flight operations.
“The accident flight was improperly dispatched and not operated in accordance with extant regulations,” Captain Badeh confirmed.
Operational and Flight Preparation Failures
Further compounding the incident, the NSIB report cited inadequate coordination by the NPAW Operations Unit during flight preparation. Key issues included the failure to determine the helicopter’s mass and center of gravity before departure due to missing documentation.
The helicopter, however, held a valid Certificate of Airworthiness, suggesting that mechanical factors were not immediately to blame. Instead, the investigation focused on crew actions, qualification lapses, and systemic human factors that contributed to the crash.
Challenges with Landing Attempts
The NSIB also noted issues with the aerodrome where the accident occurred, highlighting inadequate lighting for nighttime operations. This deficiency, combined with the crew attempting three separate approaches outside operational hours, further complicated the flight’s safe execution.
“The analysis concentrates on crew qualification, competency, and human factors during the cruise, approach, and crash landing phases of the flight,” the report emphasized.
Urgent Need for Reform
The findings from this investigation underscore glaring deficiencies in regulatory compliance, operational oversight, and personnel management within the Nigeria Police Air Wing. The failure to renew critical permits, alongside assigning an unqualified pilot to the flight, signals a systemic problem that requires immediate attention.
As aviation experts and the public digest the report’s findings, it serves as a somber reminder of the catastrophic consequences that can arise from negligence and regulatory lapses in the aviation sector.
This incident raises urgent questions about the state of aviation safety in Nigeria and the mechanisms in place to ensure compliance with established regulations. The NSIB’s recommendations are expected to guide reforms aimed at preventing such occurrences in the future.
This detailed account of the 2022 Bell 429 helicopter crash is a wake-up call for all stakeholders in Nigeria’s aviation industry to prioritize safety and compliance above all else……Read Full Article ...Read Full Article >>➤
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