THE Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has indicted Flints Aero in a preliminary report released on the plane crash that occurred on November 3, involving Nigeria’s Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu.
According to a statement that the Head of Public Affairs, NSIB Tunji Oketunbi signed, the preliminary report disclosed that Flints Aero violated its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) by conducting a commercial trip.
“Flints Aero Services Limited was issued with a Permit for Non-Commercial Flight. The PNCF issued to Flint Aero Services Limited stipulates that the aircraft shall not be used to carriage passenger(s), cargo or mail for hire or reward,” it read.
According to the report, this contravened Section 18.2.4.3 of the 2015 Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations.
The Bureau recommended that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ensure that Flints Aero Services operates within limits approved by its permit and the regulations.
It also recommended that the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) ensure strict adherence to airport operational hours and not permit extensions beyond the set limits.
The NSIB had announced that it would commence investigations into the crash of an aircraft conveying the Minister.
The crash occurred at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan, Oyo state.
The aircraft had taken off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Friday and crash-landed while descending at the Ibadan Airport on November 3.
Although there was some damage to the aircraft, all 10 passengers on board disembarked without injury.
Ijeoma Opara is a journalist with The ICIR. Reach her via [email protected] or @ije_le on Twitter.