The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) in response to
the allegations of the Senate that it is shielding the crashes reports from the
public has come out to say that the reports are available on its website for
public consumption.
According to a statement from the Bureau read in part, “
AIB is saddened by this unjustified vilification of the Bureau on the floor of
the senate as the allegation was mostly incorrect. The Senate was misinformed.
As at the time the debate was going on in the Senate the reports referred to
were on the Bureau's web site (aib.gov.ng) and just a click away from any
interested member of the public.
For record purpose, Sosoliso Accident report, which had
been released since 2006 and published
in the national newspapers has been on the Bureau's website for several
years now. Bellview and ADC crash reports have been published and on our
website since 2012 while DANA's preliminary report has been published since
July 2012. Other outstanding accident reports are being diligently pursued.”
A little research including a check on our website or the
aviation committee of the Senate would have made this debate unnecessary.
Happily, the Senate Committee on Aviation is aware of the diligence and the
passion with which AIB has been pursuing the delivery of its mandate. The
committee is also not unaware of the challenges facing the Bureau, especially
with funding.
It is, however pertinent to let the public be aware that
aircraft accident investigation, contrary to public expectation may takes a
little time as it is a complex and thorough exercise. The purpose of accident
investigation is to determine facts relating to an accident and prevent future
reoccurrence of similar occurrence by making safety recommendations. This
demands thoroughness and leaves no room for assumption.”
Owing to the success of some investigation conducted AIB
explained that some of the investigations conducted have led to
significant safety improvements in the global aviation community. Examples of
these are two Alert Service Bulletins by Sikorsky, a helicopter manufacturer
following our preliminary investigations into the recent Bristow crash in
Oworonshoki, Lagos and a Mandatory Service Bulletin by Diamond Aircraft
Manufacturer on a serious incident
involving Diamond DA 42 with
registration number 5N-BKS that occurred in Benin in July 2012. These have
contributed to preventing further accidents of similar nature and the attendant
loss of lives.
Despite the constraints and challenges, AIB is making its
modest contributions to air safety improvements and accident prevention locally
and globally.
Also, it is statutory for AIB to publish accident reports
and so cannot keep it from the public. We appeal to members of the public to
always avail themselves of the channels of communication that AIB has provided
for the purpose of dissemination or accessing information. Our 24-hour hotlines
include +234(0)8077090928
