Wings Aviation "5N-JAH" Bodies Released 20 Months After Crash!
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Wings Aviation "5N-JAH" Bodies Released 20 Months After Crash!
This only gets better!
Below is a copy of a recent article in the Nigerian Vanguard newspaper!
By John IGHODARO, Calabar
The remains of the victims of the ill-fated Wings Aviation Beechcraft 1900D, which crashed into the hills of Busi Village on 15 March, 2008 while flying from Lagos to the Bebi Air Strip have been returned by the Accident Investigation Bureau(AIB). *
The remains that were given to their families are those of the pilot, Capt. Augustine Egbedi, his co-pilot, Mohammed Tango, and a Standardisation Officer, Miss Fubrata Jack.
Daughter of the deceased pilot, Tamara Egbedi and Mohammed Tongo, father of the deceased co-pilot, Ahmed Tongo were in Calabar with some of their relatives to receive the bodies.. Tongo said the remains of his son will be buried same day in Calabar. The relatives of Jack are being expected in Calabar too.
Briefing newsmen in Calabar to mark the event,* the Commissioner AIB Engr. Sam Oduselu said the remains of the victims of the crashed aircraft had to be returned to the families after a pathologist in the University of Calabar* carried out autopsy on the bones.
Oduselu who was represented by Tunji Oketumbi* said, “The aircraft with registration number 5N-JAH was, discovered on 30 August, 2008 following which the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) commenced investigations on 03 September, 2008.
The interim report is already released and posted on our website.
“In the course of the investigation vital components needed for the investigation were recovered along with the remains (mainly bones) of the male flight crew members and a female passenger on duty.
“The pathologists from University of Calabar Teaching Hospital conducted autopsy on the bones and were able to identify the bones. However, for scientific confirmation the bones were sent to a laboratory in South Africa for DNA analysis. Unfortunately the laboratory despite numerous extraction procedure and cultures could not generate any DNA_profile of the bone material good enough for use of identification. The bones were said to have been severely damaged in the crash..
“With determination to get scientific confirmation, Health Sciences Authority of Singapore agreed to do analysis for us. Again, after a lot of efforts they could not generate any positive DNA result.
“With this development we needed to close the investigation and conclude the process of releasing the final report of the investigation into the accident. The absence of the DNA result however does not have any negative effect on our investigations. It should be noted that the pathologists have already positively identified the bones while the laboratory analysis was for scientific confirmation.
“We are here today to hand_over the remains to the families of the deceased to enable them render their customary obligations to their loved ones. The representatives of the families are with us here today.
“The President and Commander_in_Chief and the Honourable Minister of Aviation send their condolences to the families”.
In her own remark, daughter of the deceased pilot said, “There is nothing worse than you not burying your dead. Despite almost getting to two years, this has been successful and the families are happy.
“I am taking the body back to my village in Delta state, because my dad is a respectable chief. He has to be buried properly. We thank God that we have finally closed this chapter and I commend the Accident Investigation Bureau for the work they have done.”
For Tongo, father of deceased co_pilot Ahmed Tongo , “I am not satisfied. They were damn too slow. The delay was so much. But there is nothing we can do. Now is the final stage and we are okay. When I collect the remains today, we are going to bury it here. We have already arranged with the Muslim community here. We would bury the remains here and then go back home to Gombe.”
2 Responses for “Families receive remains of crashed Beechcraft victims”
Egbeigwe Idogwu says:
November 22, 2009 at 9:37 am
A plane that went missing in MARCH could not be found till AUGUST,and then it took nearly two years to carry out examination of the bones…This can only happen in NIGERIA.I am sick of this country and her leaders.When can things work well in our beloved country?
Kotoko says:
November 21, 2009 at 5:59 am
I am not satisfied with this “hush-up” Investigation and Public Aircraft
Accident Report. It is completely ill-concieved, waste of money, serves no public good nor adduce any preventative measure. It failed to ascribe blame nor punishment. Why was there no Coroner’s Report nor Public Inquest ? Why is the Summary of the Investigation on the “web-site” than
published for the general public who use aircraft daily to travel ? Not all
Nigerians who use airways to travel can afford computers and the web-site
Report might not even exist since there is no web-site address given.
I smell a “rat” and I completely resent the “wash-up” of the Investigation.
Also, I completely refute the explanation given about the identity of the
victims. Bone autopsy without conclusive DNA is a shamble and totally
unacceptable conduct. The version ascribed to the “remains” is grossly
contradictory in practice. Based to the fact that relatives of the victims
were not welding political inluence nor litigated this matter to court for
gross negligence, the authorities are treating the matter with triavality.
These are humanbeings and they died under unpercieved circumstances
and the public wants to know why ? What actually killed them, how and
why they died, why were they not traced , is it the fault of the Nigerian
Aviation Search and Rescue, fault of the Aircraft Manufacturers, fault of
the pilot in command, navigational malfunctions,Traffic Controllers; natural phenomenon or just combination of all ?
Yet, Nigeria is expanding presently on Aviation including installation of
concort Navigational system they brag would lead them to the moon
without testing these equipments for certainty and we must prevent
further on slaught of our citizens from aircraft disasters. The government
always pintching kobos and niaras instead of investing concrete into
good results in other to save what they would pocket individually. Why
would the bones of the victims be sent to Singapore and South Africa ?
These two nations are not leading DNA specialists arround the world
and they are not proficient in Aircraft Accident Victims Identifications. There
are several US, Canadian and Dutch Institutions that would have been
of immense help. The Nigerian authorities just muddled-up things and
claimed that they made great efforts. Rubbish efforts in the cover-ups.
Below is a copy of a recent article in the Nigerian Vanguard newspaper!
By John IGHODARO, Calabar
The remains of the victims of the ill-fated Wings Aviation Beechcraft 1900D, which crashed into the hills of Busi Village on 15 March, 2008 while flying from Lagos to the Bebi Air Strip have been returned by the Accident Investigation Bureau(AIB). *
The remains that were given to their families are those of the pilot, Capt. Augustine Egbedi, his co-pilot, Mohammed Tango, and a Standardisation Officer, Miss Fubrata Jack.
Daughter of the deceased pilot, Tamara Egbedi and Mohammed Tongo, father of the deceased co-pilot, Ahmed Tongo were in Calabar with some of their relatives to receive the bodies.. Tongo said the remains of his son will be buried same day in Calabar. The relatives of Jack are being expected in Calabar too.
Briefing newsmen in Calabar to mark the event,* the Commissioner AIB Engr. Sam Oduselu said the remains of the victims of the crashed aircraft had to be returned to the families after a pathologist in the University of Calabar* carried out autopsy on the bones.
Oduselu who was represented by Tunji Oketumbi* said, “The aircraft with registration number 5N-JAH was, discovered on 30 August, 2008 following which the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) commenced investigations on 03 September, 2008.
The interim report is already released and posted on our website.
“In the course of the investigation vital components needed for the investigation were recovered along with the remains (mainly bones) of the male flight crew members and a female passenger on duty.
“The pathologists from University of Calabar Teaching Hospital conducted autopsy on the bones and were able to identify the bones. However, for scientific confirmation the bones were sent to a laboratory in South Africa for DNA analysis. Unfortunately the laboratory despite numerous extraction procedure and cultures could not generate any DNA_profile of the bone material good enough for use of identification. The bones were said to have been severely damaged in the crash..
“With determination to get scientific confirmation, Health Sciences Authority of Singapore agreed to do analysis for us. Again, after a lot of efforts they could not generate any positive DNA result.
“With this development we needed to close the investigation and conclude the process of releasing the final report of the investigation into the accident. The absence of the DNA result however does not have any negative effect on our investigations. It should be noted that the pathologists have already positively identified the bones while the laboratory analysis was for scientific confirmation.
“We are here today to hand_over the remains to the families of the deceased to enable them render their customary obligations to their loved ones. The representatives of the families are with us here today.
“The President and Commander_in_Chief and the Honourable Minister of Aviation send their condolences to the families”.
In her own remark, daughter of the deceased pilot said, “There is nothing worse than you not burying your dead. Despite almost getting to two years, this has been successful and the families are happy.
“I am taking the body back to my village in Delta state, because my dad is a respectable chief. He has to be buried properly. We thank God that we have finally closed this chapter and I commend the Accident Investigation Bureau for the work they have done.”
For Tongo, father of deceased co_pilot Ahmed Tongo , “I am not satisfied. They were damn too slow. The delay was so much. But there is nothing we can do. Now is the final stage and we are okay. When I collect the remains today, we are going to bury it here. We have already arranged with the Muslim community here. We would bury the remains here and then go back home to Gombe.”
2 Responses for “Families receive remains of crashed Beechcraft victims”
Egbeigwe Idogwu says:
November 22, 2009 at 9:37 am
A plane that went missing in MARCH could not be found till AUGUST,and then it took nearly two years to carry out examination of the bones…This can only happen in NIGERIA.I am sick of this country and her leaders.When can things work well in our beloved country?
Kotoko says:
November 21, 2009 at 5:59 am
I am not satisfied with this “hush-up” Investigation and Public Aircraft
Accident Report. It is completely ill-concieved, waste of money, serves no public good nor adduce any preventative measure. It failed to ascribe blame nor punishment. Why was there no Coroner’s Report nor Public Inquest ? Why is the Summary of the Investigation on the “web-site” than
published for the general public who use aircraft daily to travel ? Not all
Nigerians who use airways to travel can afford computers and the web-site
Report might not even exist since there is no web-site address given.
I smell a “rat” and I completely resent the “wash-up” of the Investigation.
Also, I completely refute the explanation given about the identity of the
victims. Bone autopsy without conclusive DNA is a shamble and totally
unacceptable conduct. The version ascribed to the “remains” is grossly
contradictory in practice. Based to the fact that relatives of the victims
were not welding political inluence nor litigated this matter to court for
gross negligence, the authorities are treating the matter with triavality.
These are humanbeings and they died under unpercieved circumstances
and the public wants to know why ? What actually killed them, how and
why they died, why were they not traced , is it the fault of the Nigerian
Aviation Search and Rescue, fault of the Aircraft Manufacturers, fault of
the pilot in command, navigational malfunctions,Traffic Controllers; natural phenomenon or just combination of all ?
Yet, Nigeria is expanding presently on Aviation including installation of
concort Navigational system they brag would lead them to the moon
without testing these equipments for certainty and we must prevent
further on slaught of our citizens from aircraft disasters. The government
always pintching kobos and niaras instead of investing concrete into
good results in other to save what they would pocket individually. Why
would the bones of the victims be sent to Singapore and South Africa ?
These two nations are not leading DNA specialists arround the world
and they are not proficient in Aircraft Accident Victims Identifications. There
are several US, Canadian and Dutch Institutions that would have been
of immense help. The Nigerian authorities just muddled-up things and
claimed that they made great efforts. Rubbish efforts in the cover-ups.
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I would of have thought that some "people" would have varying opinions about this event since it has left a lot of "un-answered" questions about this whole fiasco.
No disrespect to family members out there, but from the moment this incident was reported it has been a total "farce".
I for one know deep inside that we are still to hear the truth!
No disrespect to family members out there, but from the moment this incident was reported it has been a total "farce".
I for one know deep inside that we are still to hear the truth!
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For what it is worth, there was a Learjet that was missing for years in New Hampshire, USA. No ELT, it crashed in a remote area and it was finally found by a hunter who just stumbled over it. There was no question of a cover-up, it was just that they could not find one small aircraft that could have been anywhere in a large wooded area using a visual search.
I seem to remember wild rumours that this aircraft had not crashed but had been flown out of Nigeria, just for one. Well, they found it and they found three bodies when there were supposed to be three occupants so that settles that, at least.
I am sorry but if it's a crash that doesn't cause a lot of casualties and seems to be fairly obvious (light aircraft in bad weather in hilly terrain trying a visual approach so probable CFIT) then there's not much reason to put in a lot of expensive effort on an exhaustive investigation. That might not be what the next-of-kin want to hear but it's the truth.
What is the point of making such a fuss here? Do you think there's something mysterious that is worth further investigation? If so, why not come out with whatever theory you have, rather than just fulminating about "Nigeria." The place has so many much bigger problems that one crashed King Air must be low priority. Even in the States I can tell you that such an accident wouldn't get much attention, although, yes, they should be able to do a DNA analysis of the remains. That said, that part really has nothing to do with the air crash per se, does it?
I remember a similar crash in the States when, once they had found the aircraft they just looked at the swathe it cut through the trees, said, "Yup, looks like ol' Earl done screwed up on his home-made NDB approach to his home field," marked the wreckage with big red Xs, took the bodies down the mountain to be buried and that was about all. It can be open-and-shut sometimes.
I seem to remember wild rumours that this aircraft had not crashed but had been flown out of Nigeria, just for one. Well, they found it and they found three bodies when there were supposed to be three occupants so that settles that, at least.
I am sorry but if it's a crash that doesn't cause a lot of casualties and seems to be fairly obvious (light aircraft in bad weather in hilly terrain trying a visual approach so probable CFIT) then there's not much reason to put in a lot of expensive effort on an exhaustive investigation. That might not be what the next-of-kin want to hear but it's the truth.
What is the point of making such a fuss here? Do you think there's something mysterious that is worth further investigation? If so, why not come out with whatever theory you have, rather than just fulminating about "Nigeria." The place has so many much bigger problems that one crashed King Air must be low priority. Even in the States I can tell you that such an accident wouldn't get much attention, although, yes, they should be able to do a DNA analysis of the remains. That said, that part really has nothing to do with the air crash per se, does it?
I remember a similar crash in the States when, once they had found the aircraft they just looked at the swathe it cut through the trees, said, "Yup, looks like ol' Earl done screwed up on his home-made NDB approach to his home field," marked the wreckage with big red Xs, took the bodies down the mountain to be buried and that was about all. It can be open-and-shut sometimes.
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Thanks for your reply Chucks but I have a few points to make.
1.) This aircraft did have an "ELT" and an advanced one at that (never seemed to activate even though one would think it was designed to in these type of reported incidents)
2.) Three bodies found (but how can you prove that the bodies are legitimate with no DNA available?)
3.) Light Aircraft in bad weather? (I wouldn't exactly classify a 1900D as a "Light Aircraft" and having flown on this aircraft in "bad weather" on a number of occasions it seemed to handle it well.)
4.) Only an "Interim" Report on the crash released "http://www.aib.gov.ng/database/5njah.pdf" (I would of have thought the "final" report would of have been released by now.)
5.) Page 6 of the report makes reference to the "tail" section in a photo showing the registration "5N-JAH" (there was no registration on the tail of this airplane)
6.) The first photo on the report is a crock of $hit !
I could go on but I won't.
I am eagerly awaiting the final report.
Regards,
1.) This aircraft did have an "ELT" and an advanced one at that (never seemed to activate even though one would think it was designed to in these type of reported incidents)
2.) Three bodies found (but how can you prove that the bodies are legitimate with no DNA available?)
3.) Light Aircraft in bad weather? (I wouldn't exactly classify a 1900D as a "Light Aircraft" and having flown on this aircraft in "bad weather" on a number of occasions it seemed to handle it well.)
4.) Only an "Interim" Report on the crash released "http://www.aib.gov.ng/database/5njah.pdf" (I would of have thought the "final" report would of have been released by now.)
5.) Page 6 of the report makes reference to the "tail" section in a photo showing the registration "5N-JAH" (there was no registration on the tail of this airplane)
6.) The first photo on the report is a crock of $hit !
I could go on but I won't.
I am eagerly awaiting the final report.
Regards,
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1. They don't always work, for a variety of reasons. Not least, sometimes they are left in the "Off" position. Other times the crash simply doesn't trigger the ELT.
2. Three people on the flight plan, three bodies found. So?
3. A 1900D is really just an up-sized King Air, only slightly too large to be called a "light aircraft." Here it was being operated just like any light aircraft, not like a Boeing 737 making an approach to Abuja or Lagos, say.
4. So?
5. You will find 5N-XXX markings on the rear fuselage or tail fin, close enough to be loosely termed the "tail."
6. So?
You seem to want to stir up doubt. From my experience of flying into bush strips in Nigeria in bad weather I have very little doubt that this was just another foreseeable accident, down to the inherent risks in this sort of operation. You want to get into Obudu in bad weather then this is what you may get. Or you can take a "mammy wagon" or wait three months for the end of the rainy season, your choice.
Ever flown into Benin City when it was rainy or dusty? Wanna bet the rules (Visual Flight Rules only there) were being bent or broken?
2. Three people on the flight plan, three bodies found. So?
3. A 1900D is really just an up-sized King Air, only slightly too large to be called a "light aircraft." Here it was being operated just like any light aircraft, not like a Boeing 737 making an approach to Abuja or Lagos, say.
4. So?
5. You will find 5N-XXX markings on the rear fuselage or tail fin, close enough to be loosely termed the "tail."
6. So?
You seem to want to stir up doubt. From my experience of flying into bush strips in Nigeria in bad weather I have very little doubt that this was just another foreseeable accident, down to the inherent risks in this sort of operation. You want to get into Obudu in bad weather then this is what you may get. Or you can take a "mammy wagon" or wait three months for the end of the rainy season, your choice.
Ever flown into Benin City when it was rainy or dusty? Wanna bet the rules (Visual Flight Rules only there) were being bent or broken?
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Chucks whilst your experience in flying around Nigeria is not to be questioned, I think your excuses are rather lame though.
1.) How often does this happen (rather coincidental) ?
2.)Three bodies found (in a country like Nigeria I am sure that three bodies could be found anywhere and how come DNA is able to be extracted from 1000 year old bodies but not from bodies that are 6 months old? )
3.) The 1900D is classified as an "Airliner" and not a "light aircraft" (I suppose a B737 on a positioning flight is also classified as being used as a "light aircraft" with two crew and nil cargo?)
4.) So ??...They ("NCAA"/"AIB") have had ample time to get their $hit together and still no full report. I don't know about you but this seems a little suspect to me since the accident occured in 2008 and we are now in 2010..
5.) "5N-JAH" was written on the rear fueselage (not on the tail) in "Red" characters (the report shows a photo of the registration in "Black" characters and makes reference to the tail )
6.) So??....This is supposed to be an official report (I wouldn't have thought it would of have been too hard to obtain a proper picture of the aircraft in question, instead of something that looks like it had been created in MS Paint by a 4 year old child.)
I am not stiring up doubt (just reporting the facts) and these facts make me rather "suspect" as to what actually did take place, with not only how the events were reported, but how this whole farce had been handled.
The fact that people don't question these things as they are "expected" in a country like Nigeria due to their past history of these events. This is "bull****" and if there are doubts then those people who believe this should speak out and not be silenced by threats or bribes.
One of the most disappointing aspects of this is that the past few years has seen a dramatic improvement in aviation standards in Nigeria and if this event was a scam, then those people that are busting their asses to improve the industry are being let down by greedy scammers.
I have never flown to into Benin or Obudu but have been on that aircraft in very poor conditions (severe storms on final approach with an extremely wet short runway)
Regards,
1.) How often does this happen (rather coincidental) ?
2.)Three bodies found (in a country like Nigeria I am sure that three bodies could be found anywhere and how come DNA is able to be extracted from 1000 year old bodies but not from bodies that are 6 months old? )
3.) The 1900D is classified as an "Airliner" and not a "light aircraft" (I suppose a B737 on a positioning flight is also classified as being used as a "light aircraft" with two crew and nil cargo?)
4.) So ??...They ("NCAA"/"AIB") have had ample time to get their $hit together and still no full report. I don't know about you but this seems a little suspect to me since the accident occured in 2008 and we are now in 2010..
5.) "5N-JAH" was written on the rear fueselage (not on the tail) in "Red" characters (the report shows a photo of the registration in "Black" characters and makes reference to the tail )
6.) So??....This is supposed to be an official report (I wouldn't have thought it would of have been too hard to obtain a proper picture of the aircraft in question, instead of something that looks like it had been created in MS Paint by a 4 year old child.)
I am not stiring up doubt (just reporting the facts) and these facts make me rather "suspect" as to what actually did take place, with not only how the events were reported, but how this whole farce had been handled.
The fact that people don't question these things as they are "expected" in a country like Nigeria due to their past history of these events. This is "bull****" and if there are doubts then those people who believe this should speak out and not be silenced by threats or bribes.
One of the most disappointing aspects of this is that the past few years has seen a dramatic improvement in aviation standards in Nigeria and if this event was a scam, then those people that are busting their asses to improve the industry are being let down by greedy scammers.
I have never flown to into Benin or Obudu but have been on that aircraft in very poor conditions (severe storms on final approach with an extremely wet short runway)
Regards,
Last edited by Flightsimman; 6th Jan 2010 at 11:34.
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1. It happens. Not very often but it does happen. The ELT just sits back there in the rear fuselage and sometimes it is overlooked instead of regularly checked for serviceability or perhaps even inadvertently switched "Off" after having been switched to "Test." It is just another gadget and gadgets do fail. Perhaps in the final report they should tell us if it worked as designed or not and if not, why not.
2. I assume the bodies were found in the wreckage and not just lying around in the bush. Of course, yes, you simply want dead bodies just go looking in the bush by the side of the Agege Motor Road but that's not what we are talking about here!
3. You can call it whatever you like (and it may well be marketed as an "airliner") but to the guys flying it, the Beech 1900D would be very, very similar to a King Air, what it was basically derived from. The name "1900D" comes from the fact that it can hold 19 passengers, where even a small 737 holds about 100! There is no real comparison between the two except that, yes, they are both airplanes.
There's not much point in having to look up a lot of stuff to get it exactly correct and then educate you in what a Part 23 or a Part 25 aircraft is, what the difference is between small and large or light, medium and heavy aircraft, what rules different aircraft may be operated to and all that stuff. Please believe me that going to Obudu in a Beech 1900D will have been very different to going to London on a Boeing 747 although they might both be "public transport" flights. And, no, you will not see a Boing 737 operated as a small aircraft, ever! A Beech 1900D, maybe, odd as that might strike you...
The Mobil flight department, right there in Nigeria, has operated a small fleet that includes Beech 1900Ds for many years now, accident-free. There is nothing that makes the 1900D unsafe, just as there is nothing that makes the Boeing 737 safe, looked at simply as another type of aircraft. It has very much to do with the way each is operated and that can be a very complicatd matter indeed!
5. Yes, and? Red or black, on the rear fuselage or on the fin... All the rules say is that the number and the letters have to be a certain size, of a contrasting colour and in a general location. Upper right wing, lower left wing, somewhere or other to the rear on both sides. (You can look this up or just go and take a look to see all the legal variations on this simple theme.)
You may see a white airplane with black, red or blue, a black, red, or blue airplane with white or silver... This is a matter of absolutely no import whatsoever, describing the markings as having been at the rear, back or tail, since they are all loosely correct. If the markings agreed with those of the missing aircraft and it was a Beech 1900D I think you could safely put any discrepancies down to sloppiness. And that brings us to point number...
6. Have a look around. Do you see much bigger problems for the rather small and overworked Nigerian authorities to deal with right now than one small aircraft that crashed in not-very-puzzling circumstances? Dr Demuren is doing the best he can with limited resources and this crash is, perhaps sad to say, probably not something of great interest or import except to those who lost loved ones in the accident. There's nothing in it to suggest a flaw in the aircraft itself so that just leaves us with something wrong in the way it was operated on the fatal day, what we used to simply call "pilot error."
2. I assume the bodies were found in the wreckage and not just lying around in the bush. Of course, yes, you simply want dead bodies just go looking in the bush by the side of the Agege Motor Road but that's not what we are talking about here!
3. You can call it whatever you like (and it may well be marketed as an "airliner") but to the guys flying it, the Beech 1900D would be very, very similar to a King Air, what it was basically derived from. The name "1900D" comes from the fact that it can hold 19 passengers, where even a small 737 holds about 100! There is no real comparison between the two except that, yes, they are both airplanes.
There's not much point in having to look up a lot of stuff to get it exactly correct and then educate you in what a Part 23 or a Part 25 aircraft is, what the difference is between small and large or light, medium and heavy aircraft, what rules different aircraft may be operated to and all that stuff. Please believe me that going to Obudu in a Beech 1900D will have been very different to going to London on a Boeing 747 although they might both be "public transport" flights. And, no, you will not see a Boing 737 operated as a small aircraft, ever! A Beech 1900D, maybe, odd as that might strike you...
The Mobil flight department, right there in Nigeria, has operated a small fleet that includes Beech 1900Ds for many years now, accident-free. There is nothing that makes the 1900D unsafe, just as there is nothing that makes the Boeing 737 safe, looked at simply as another type of aircraft. It has very much to do with the way each is operated and that can be a very complicatd matter indeed!
5. Yes, and? Red or black, on the rear fuselage or on the fin... All the rules say is that the number and the letters have to be a certain size, of a contrasting colour and in a general location. Upper right wing, lower left wing, somewhere or other to the rear on both sides. (You can look this up or just go and take a look to see all the legal variations on this simple theme.)
You may see a white airplane with black, red or blue, a black, red, or blue airplane with white or silver... This is a matter of absolutely no import whatsoever, describing the markings as having been at the rear, back or tail, since they are all loosely correct. If the markings agreed with those of the missing aircraft and it was a Beech 1900D I think you could safely put any discrepancies down to sloppiness. And that brings us to point number...
6. Have a look around. Do you see much bigger problems for the rather small and overworked Nigerian authorities to deal with right now than one small aircraft that crashed in not-very-puzzling circumstances? Dr Demuren is doing the best he can with limited resources and this crash is, perhaps sad to say, probably not something of great interest or import except to those who lost loved ones in the accident. There's nothing in it to suggest a flaw in the aircraft itself so that just leaves us with something wrong in the way it was operated on the fatal day, what we used to simply call "pilot error."
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Chuks,
Thanks for your reply.
I am well aware of aviation standards and terminology and don't need to be "educated" in aircraft zone numbers or ATA chapters.
I am also well aware that Mobil operate the 1900D as you put it "accident free" for many years thanks to the efforts of the great bunch of people they have working for them in Lagos and Eket..
Whilst you state that there are bigger problems to deal with right now (which I am in agreeance with you) I also feel strongly about dealing with things in a timely manner which involves leaving no stone unturned.
This leads me to point #5... If the colour on the report photo shows the rego in "black" and I know that it was in "Red", then in my book the report should be able to be questioned for accuracy?
6.) Just because there are bigger problems to deal with does not mean that this whole incident should not be handled in a professional manner as we are talking about a very serious issue.
To make a point on how "professional" this all is go to "http://www.aib.gov.ng/database/" and have a look at the end result (this is a government website that contains reports on "serious" matters for Christ sakes!)
Another recent article is located at "http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/Metro/5495743-147/story.csp" (the first paragraph under the heading "Blame Game" says it all)
I went to the "NCAA" website and clicked on the link for the Ministry Of Aviation "http://www.ministryofaviationng.org/" and you guessed it (take a look)
I know it's Nigeria but there is no excuse.
Thanks for your reply.
I am well aware of aviation standards and terminology and don't need to be "educated" in aircraft zone numbers or ATA chapters.
I am also well aware that Mobil operate the 1900D as you put it "accident free" for many years thanks to the efforts of the great bunch of people they have working for them in Lagos and Eket..
Whilst you state that there are bigger problems to deal with right now (which I am in agreeance with you) I also feel strongly about dealing with things in a timely manner which involves leaving no stone unturned.
This leads me to point #5... If the colour on the report photo shows the rego in "black" and I know that it was in "Red", then in my book the report should be able to be questioned for accuracy?
6.) Just because there are bigger problems to deal with does not mean that this whole incident should not be handled in a professional manner as we are talking about a very serious issue.
To make a point on how "professional" this all is go to "http://www.aib.gov.ng/database/" and have a look at the end result (this is a government website that contains reports on "serious" matters for Christ sakes!)
Another recent article is located at "http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/Metro/5495743-147/story.csp" (the first paragraph under the heading "Blame Game" says it all)
I went to the "NCAA" website and clicked on the link for the Ministry Of Aviation "http://www.ministryofaviationng.org/" and you guessed it (take a look)
I know it's Nigeria but there is no excuse.
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I don't think we are very far apart in factual terms. It is the approach to things that makes the difference.
If the people supposedly running Nigeria were doing things to, shall we say, European standards then we would not be having this discussion. A red marking is described as black, when, no, red is not the same as black and fair enough. Perhaps someone was looking at a black and white picture when they wrote that but who knows? That isn't what really matters though!
I have always said that aviation in Nigeria has to share the same problems that afflict Nigeria on the whole. It is not some sacred thing that stands there shiny and clean towering out of the stinking mud. That means that progress is slow and that it's often a case of "one step forward, two steps back," instead of the other way around. Anyway, you can see some good guys trying their best and even some rare success stories. The Mobil Flight Department might be taken for one such and it has been run for a long time by a local Chief Pilot.
It might be the wrong approach to overlook the sort of stuff you have brought up here. I cannot say but I think it's not what is happening in the big tent but just a side-show so that I wouldn't make such a hue and cry as this over a sloppy report about what is, after all, an unimportant accident. Now, if you wanted to look at why and how an operator of "public transport" flights tried to go VFR to a socked-in, IMC destination in the hills, that sort of question might matter a lot more than just looking at how some guys in a small airplane dinged in, as if it were just their mistake, period. That, though, is not going to happen in the Nigeria of today or I miss my bet.
Why not look into the way Arik has been set up if you really want something important to write about? (Of course after that you should get your wife to start the car for you, mornings.)
The late Jerry Agbeyagbey was a great one for flipping over flat rocks to see what came crawling out into the light. Has there come anyone to take his place? Probably not, after what happened to him.
If the people supposedly running Nigeria were doing things to, shall we say, European standards then we would not be having this discussion. A red marking is described as black, when, no, red is not the same as black and fair enough. Perhaps someone was looking at a black and white picture when they wrote that but who knows? That isn't what really matters though!
I have always said that aviation in Nigeria has to share the same problems that afflict Nigeria on the whole. It is not some sacred thing that stands there shiny and clean towering out of the stinking mud. That means that progress is slow and that it's often a case of "one step forward, two steps back," instead of the other way around. Anyway, you can see some good guys trying their best and even some rare success stories. The Mobil Flight Department might be taken for one such and it has been run for a long time by a local Chief Pilot.
It might be the wrong approach to overlook the sort of stuff you have brought up here. I cannot say but I think it's not what is happening in the big tent but just a side-show so that I wouldn't make such a hue and cry as this over a sloppy report about what is, after all, an unimportant accident. Now, if you wanted to look at why and how an operator of "public transport" flights tried to go VFR to a socked-in, IMC destination in the hills, that sort of question might matter a lot more than just looking at how some guys in a small airplane dinged in, as if it were just their mistake, period. That, though, is not going to happen in the Nigeria of today or I miss my bet.
Why not look into the way Arik has been set up if you really want something important to write about? (Of course after that you should get your wife to start the car for you, mornings.)
The late Jerry Agbeyagbey was a great one for flipping over flat rocks to see what came crawling out into the light. Has there come anyone to take his place? Probably not, after what happened to him.
