Following the several events which trailed the Associated Airline plane crash weeks ago, there are now speculations that the cargo craft may have crashed a few minutes after take-off because the coffin it was carrying shifted.
The
National Transportation Safety Board (NTBS) after its investigation had
reported that the aircraft crashed after it stalled at take-off. Being a cargo
aircraft, the sudden movement of its cargo displaced the “aircraft C of G”. The
report also indicated that the coffin carrying the remains of former Governor
Olusegun Agagu was not strapped.
A
source who chose to remain anonymous told Channels Television that the
circumstances leading to the crash of a cargo aircraft in Afghanistan, right
after take-off, is similar to the case of the Associated Airline plane crash
which occurred on 3rd October.
The
Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Dele
Sasegbon, on Wednesday said that an argument which reportedly ensued between
the pilot of the ill-fated flight and the co-pilot indicated that there may
have been a load shift.
While
speaking on Sunrise Daily, Mr Sasegbon stated that the speculations are not
confirmed yet.
Air
safety has been ascertained in the past one year, he added.
We
have attained a lot of goals that were expected as far as air safety is
concerned as the AIB is yet to submit a comprehensive report on its investigations.
However,
he attempted to allay the fears of travelers in Nigeria’s airspace, adding that
“we have attained total airspace coverage” which means that all activities in
the country’s airspace can be monitored.
“As
far as I am concerned, progress is being made although it may be slow, he said.
Mr
Sasegbon, who said that people have to consider several aspects before
adjudging the airspace safe or not, stated that, the first criteria to
consider, is that “the aircrafts, flying in our airspace, are safe and we can
see them wherever they are.”
“That
has been achieved,” he said.
Speaking
about the aviation authority’s plans to improve the sector, he disclosed that
in the past month and half, the NCAA, has been discussing with other
stakeholders about aircraft safety.
We
have actually formed the team between the industry and the aviation authority.
The team which will begin its work with helicopters has the oil companies in it
and is headed by the same.
The
team is expected to come out with advisory circulars after the exercise.
However,
the said team is not fully established, yet.
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