Mama mangrove,
The official report of the AIB was never released, and probably, will never be. I am amongst those who believe that LOS ATC cleared the ADC 727-200 to FL030 without realizing it was at FL240 (thus causing the head-on collision potential with the TRIAX 727, which was at FL160). If you recall, the captain overstretched the aircraft's limits in his evasive maneuvers, causing the a/c to spin and attain speed of sound in the dive to its doom.
I am aware, however, that the working conditions for Nigerian controllers are substandard (lack of radar coverage and inoperative ILS), in addition to their impoverishment and demotivation. This wasn't and shouldn't be excuse for lack of vigorous training and re-training of the controllers, since the lives of thousands of passengers in/out of LOS depend on their concentration and professionalism.
Nigerian aviation authorities are yet to show signs of change of attitude. The Hydro crash is yet another avoidable incident. Fortunately nobody died.
From THISDAY of Lagos:
Foreign Aircraft Crash-Lands in Lagos
By Ndubuisi Francis
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A cargo aircraft belonging to Hydro Air Cargo, Brussels, Belgium weekend crash-landed at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos. No Lives were lost.
The B747 aircraft with registration number ZS-OOS was enrouted Johannesburg, Sou-th Africa before it suffered the fate.
A statement issued by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Mr. Tomi Oyelade said the accident occurred at 2.35 am on Saturday, Nove-mber 29.
Already, accident investigators from the Accident Inves-tigation Bureau (AIB) unit of the ministry has commenced investigations into the accident.
Although the cause of the accident remained unknown as at press time yesterday, THISDAY gathered that seven people aboard the aircraft had been evacuated with some of them sustaining minor injuries.
It was also gathered that the 19R runway where the accident occurred has been temporarily closed pending the conclusion of investigations.
Sources told THISDAY that fire fighters responded with despatch to the accident.
The statement from the ministry added that the cause of the accident would be disclosed as soon as investigation is concluded.
The Aviation Minister, Mallam Isa Yuguda only Friday night travelled to Canada for an official engagement.