Caverton crash caused by dust, says AIB preliminary report

The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has released a preliminary report on the helicopter crash involving Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Earlier in the month, a chopper conveying Osinbajo and members of his team crash-landed in Kabba, Kogi state, while the VP was on his way for a campaign trip.

Osinbajo and all on board came out of the chopper unhurt.

Caverton Helicopters, owners of the aircraft, had said the crash was as a result of “unusual weather condition” and promised to carry out an investigation.

But in its report, AIB attributed the crash to effects of a “brown out” generated during its landing in a dry, dusty environment.

“Brown out” means a condition generated during landing in a sandy, dusty environment. It causes reduced flight visibility owing to airborne particles.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday, Akin Olateru, AIB commissioner and chief executive officer, said though the investigation into the crash is ongoing, it has issued two safety recommendations to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the operator of the aircraft.

Olateru said Caverton should have carried out a risk assessment test at the Kaaba stadium before the flight.

“Caverton Helicopters Limited did not conduct site survey of the landing field prior to the flight and did not carry out safety and risk assessment,” he said.

He asked the NCAA to issue advisory circular to helicopter operators on the effects of brown out and how to mitigate it.

He added that the second safety recommendation is for Caverton to carry out proper risk analysis and assessment before operating flights into unapproved landing pad.

He said the final report on the accident will be released in few months.

Industry experts who spoke to TheCable said brownout is global phenomenon “that can happen irrespective of survey. The most important thing is what is done when such happens to prevent injury and fatality”.

It is also thought that pre-assessment might have been hampered by the security status of Osinbajo, whose itinerary was only revealed at short notice.

Flights to unprepared surfaces are not unusual for helicopters, according to industry experts, as that is what they are made for — to go to where you don’t have airports.