NSIB Released Preliminary Reports on Hawker 800XP, 5N-AMM

The Nigerian Agency, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), released preliminary reports on the Hawker 800XP, 5N-AMM, detailing the findings of their investigation involving Hawker 800XP aircraft operated by Flints Aero Services Ltd. with nationality and registration marks 5N-AMM which was to convey the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, from Nnamdi Azikwe Aiport, Abuja to Ibadan Airport, Oyo State, on November 3rd, 2023. The reports revealed that the operator filed a flight plan requesting an extension of 2 hours to accommodate the Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) of the aircraft as the cause of the accident, leading to safety recommendations for improved maintenance and inspection procedures under the provisions of Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations 2023 and Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The aircraft in question was a 24-year-old Hawker 800XP manufactured by Honeywell Aerospace, USA, which had logged over 10,492 hours of airframe at the time of the accident. However, the preliminary report by the NSIB amongst several aviation industry experts and agencies has shown that the fuel endurance of the aircraft is 3 hours, raising concerns about its ability to complete long-haul flights.

The report also shows that Flint Aero had been issued a permit for non-commercial flight, which disallows the aircraft to carry passengers, cargo, or mail for hire or reward. The damage of the accident provided that the Number 1 Tyre deflated, and the nose landing gear collapsed. This indicates a potential landing gear failure or malfunction. Still, the NSIB considers the accident an ongoing investigation, and since no injuries to personnel and passengers onboard were recorded, the agency recommends the following safety measures:

• The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) should ensure that it strictly observes the airport operational hours as published in the relevant Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) and not permit extensions beyond the airport limitations.
• The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) should ensure that Flints Aero Services Limited operates within the limits of the approval given to it under Section 18.2.4.3 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations 2015.
• Flints Aero Services Limited should ensure that its flight crew has sufficient experience in night-time flight operations.
• The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) should ensure that the overgrown grass verge on either side of runway 04/22 is immediately cleared.

It is worth noting that all of these due diligence measures are necessary to guarantee the safety and efficiency of air travel. However, they require consistent monitoring and maintenance to ensure that potential hazards are promptly addressed and minimized. This ensures that any issues or risks forewarned can be mitigated promptly, ultimately ensuring the overall safety and smooth operation of air travel. The report is made publicly available on the NSIB website.

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Mayowa Durosinmi

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M. Durosinmi is a West Africa Weekly investigative reporter covering Politics, Human Rights, Health, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel Region

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