At Least 37 Accidents Reports Pending In AIB - Olateru

Engr. Akin Olateru, the Commissioner of Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), has said that at least 37 accident reports were pending at the Bureau as at January, when he assumed office the agency.

Olateru made this known at the weekend at a forum organised by the Aviation Round Table (ART) in Lagos.

The Commissioner said that the final report of the June 3, 2012 accident of Dana Air crash, which killed about 163 souls on-board and on ground at the Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos and three others, including the crashes of the last two Bristow Helicopters and one AOS Helicopters would be submitted to the Presidency for approval before being released to the public this week.

He said in addition to the four reports that would be ready this week, a minimum of 10 accident reports would also be released to the public before the end of the year, as the era of keeping accident reports in the bureau’s wardrobe was over.

The first of the two Bristow Helicopters crashes occurred on August 13, 2015 at the Oworonshoki Area of the Third Mainland Bridge with six fatalities while six others sustained serious injuries. The second, which also landed on the high sea was coming from an offshore platform, but without fatalities.

Also, the AOS helicopters crash occurred on July 29, 2011 between Ife and Ogbomosho.

“Let me give you an example, I took over AIB on January 13, 2017, there were 37 pending accident investigation and the first question I asked was how many accidents do we have in a year that we have 37 pending accident investigation? Today, I’m proud to tell you, four reports are on their way to the President including Dana, two Britstow and AOS Helicopters reports. And by next week (this week), we will make them official reports.

“Before the end of this year, by the special grace of God, we will release a minimum of 10 reports. There must be a big paradigm shift in the way we do things,” Olateru said.

He further lamented that there are only “one and half pilots” while none specialises on helicopter accident investigation despite the frequencies of helicopter crashes in the country.

The Commissioner said the AIB does not have any emergency code number that public could contact in case of an accident, promising to change all that soon.

He added: “It is one and half pilots that we have in AIB. I said one and half because we have a fresh one who is just joining us. Is that the kind of manpower that can actually investigate accident reports? We have more helicopter incidents than fixed wing incidents in this industry, yet, you don’t have one single helicopter pilot in AIB.

“These are the issues I’m taking up with the Minister and he’s willing to support. We need to strength the system and we can’t just fold our hands,” he said.

Olateru also noted that the Bureau does not have an emergency response team.

“Who do you call even when you need a crane, we don’t know. Most of our management team does not know the number to call in case of an accident. There is nowhere anyone will remember the 11 digit numbers. Rather, we need a unique three digit number.

“We don’t have a control room in AIB. Once it is 4 to 5 pm, the company shuts down and I try to remind them that accidents in most times occur in the evening and on weekends. So, we must have a functional control room, radio, and monitor things that are going on. Reporting accident is another issue. We have to make it seamless.”

THIS DAY