Preliminary Report Reveals Violations in Plane Crash Involving Power Minister, Adelabu

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has unveiled its preliminary findings a month after the plane crash involving Flints Aero Services Limited, the aircraft carrying the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and nine others from Abuja to Ibadan.

As reported by SK Blog earlier, the NSIB, in a statement by the Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi, disclosed that the aircraft owners, Flints Aero Service, have been implicated in the investigation.

The Bureau revealed that the airline, entrusted with the minister’s flight, had been issued a Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF), explicitly prohibiting the use of the aircraft for passenger transport, cargo, or mail for hire or reward. Shockingly, the flight blatantly disregarded this permit rule.

According to the NSIB report, the ill-fated aircraft accommodated ten individuals, including two cockpit crew and one cabin crew, with a fuel endurance of three hours. Furthermore, the investigation brought to light that the crew lacked sufficient experience in nighttime flight operations.

Disturbingly, the airline also faced allegations of violating its Air Operator Certificate issued by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

The NSIB statement emphasized, “The flight departed Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for Ibadan Airport, Oyo state, as a charter flight on an Instrument Flight Rules flight plan. On board were ten persons, including two cockpit crew and one cabin crew, with fuel endurance of three hours.”

Post-incident inspection of the aircraft revealed substantial damage to the fuselage, landing gear, and flaps. Fortunately, all passengers disembarked without injuries. The Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder were recovered in good condition, with recordings intact.

The NSIB’s findings underscore the gravity of the violations committed by Flints Aero Services Limited, which operated under a Permit for Non-Commercial Flight explicitly prohibiting the carriage of passengers for hire or reward. The investigation is ongoing, shedding light on potential lapses in aviation safety regulations.