BEVERLY HILLS, February 14, (THEWILL) – The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has released a report of the helicopter crash involving Agusta Westland W 139 Caverton Helicopters, which flew Vice President to Kabba in Kogi State saying the February 2, 2019 crash of the chopper, marked with registration number 5N – CML, was due to effects of a brownout generated during its landing in a dry dusty environment.
Brown out in aviation parlance means a condition generated during landing in a sandy and dusty environment.
AIB Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Akin Olateru, at a media briefing at its headquarters at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, said though the investigation into the crash is ongoing, it has, however, issued two safety recommendations to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the operator, Caverton Helicopters Limited.
It said Caverton should have carried out risk assessment test at the Kaaba Stadium before the flight and said the NCAA should issue advisory circular to helicopter operators on the effects of brown out and how to mitigate its effects.
Olateru further stated that the final report on the accident will be released in few months.
