The Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, has said that the Dana Air plane crash of June 3, 2012, was caused by a combination of mechanical failure and pilot error.
In its final report, the AIB said that the two engines on the aircraft failed mid-air before it crashed on approaching the Lagos airport, leading to the death of 159 people.
The AIB commissioner, Akin Olateru, added that the inappropriate omission of the use of the checklist, the crew’s inability to appreciate the severity of the power-related problem, and their subsequent failure to land at the nearest suitable airfield also contributed to the crash.
“Engine number one lost power 17 minutes into the flight, and thereafter on final approach, engine number two lost power and failed to respond to throttle movement on demand for increased power to sustain the aircraft in its flight configuration,” the report read, while the investigators added that “lack of situation awareness, inappropriate decision-making and poor airmanship” were also to blame for the crash.
The ill-fated aircraft was carrying 153 passengers and crew when it crashed into a densely-populated area in the north of Lagos and burst into flames killing 6 people on the ground.
Following the crash, aviation authorities in Nigeria suspended Dana’s operating licence but the suspension was later partially lifted in January 2013 and fully in 2014 after the airline had met some safety standards.
Investigations into the mishap involved officials from the airline, engine manufacturers Pratt & Whitney and international aviation experts.
Olateru said the investigation took longer than initially expected due to lack of funds as the N16 million allocated in 2017 was not enough.Dana Airline’s Media and Communications Manager, Kingsley Ezenwa, speaking on the incident, said that the company “swung into action immediately” to prevent a recurrence by ensuring that it implemented the interim safety recommendations released in 2013 by the AIB.
He assured air passengers that the airline is deeply committed to the safety and comfort of its customers.