Amanze Chinonye
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has disclosed that a faulty air traffic control recording system at Asaba Airport has complicated its investigation into the VMO Aero aircraft that mistakenly landed on an under-construction roadway instead of the runway, Prime Business Africa reports.
In its preliminary report on the June 10 incident, the bureau said the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) confirmed that the Asaba control tower’s voice recording system was unserviceable at the time of the occurrence. Consequently, investigators had to reconstruct communications between the aircraft and air traffic controllers from operational records, limiting the availability of critical recorded evidence.
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The aircraft, carrying seven people the pilot-in-command (PIC), second-in-command (SIC), an observer pilot, a cabin crew member and three passengers had been cleared by Air Traffic Control to conduct an RNAV approach to Runway 11 after the crew requested and received approval for a right orbit during the initial approach.
According to the report, the crew discontinued the first approach, executed a missed approach and repositioned for a second attempt before the aircraft touched down at about 8:57 a.m. on a newly paved roadway near Asaba Airport instead of the designated runway.
The NSIB said the pilot-in-command and second-in-command told investigators that the aircraft’s navigation displays indicated it was correctly established on the published RNAV Runway 11 approach and that the observer pilot identified the paved surface ahead as the runway.
The observer pilot, however, gave a different account. He said the aircraft remained in cloud until late in the approach and that the Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) repeatedly issued “TERRAIN, TERRAIN, PULL UP” alerts. He also reported seeing a telecommunications mast ahead of the aircraft and said he instructed the pilot-in-command to abandon the approach and climb immediately.
Despite the warning, the aircraft continued its descent and landed on the roadway.
Investigators said the flight crew initially believed they had landed on an extension of Runway 11 and only realised the mistake after the aircraft came to a stop near construction equipment. The observer pilot said he then instructed the pilot-in-command to apply maximum braking as the aircraft approached the end of the paved surface.
The cabin crew also told investigators that one of the passengers became concerned after overhearing discussions among the pilots during the approach and asked whether one of them was undergoing training. She said the passenger was reassured that all three pilots were experienced captains, and no unusual events were reported in the cabin before touchdown.
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The preliminary report further revealed disagreements among the cockpit crew before departure. According to the observer pilot, he raised concerns about what he believed were discrepancies in the aircraft’s Flight Management System (FMS) programming during pre-flight preparations but was told by the pilot-in-command not to interfere because he was on board only in an observational capacity.
Although the pilot-in-command and second-in-command acknowledged that discrepancies were encountered during FMS programming, they maintained that the issues were corrected before departure.
The NSIB said the investigation remains ongoing and will include a detailed examination of the aircraft and the damage it sustained, as well as further analysis of the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) to determine whether additional usable information can be recovered.
Investigators will also examine the aircraft’s navigation systems, avionics configuration and Flight Management System; review the operator’s operational procedures, crew assignment processes, Crew Resource Management (CRM) practices and Emergency Response Plan; analyse communications among the flight crew, airline management, Air Traffic Services and airport authorities; and assess the impact of the road construction project, including obstacle assessments, visual cues, published aeronautical information and risk mitigation measures.
The investigation will also evaluate Air Traffic Services’ response, the airport’s emergency procedures, outstanding witness interviews and information requested from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and other relevant agencies.
The bureau said the final report will determine the factors that led to the serious incident, including whether human factors, cockpit coordination, aircraft systems, airport infrastructure, air traffic services or regulatory oversight contributed to the erroneous landing.
It is also expected to recommend measures to strengthen aviation safety and prevent similar occurrences.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority grounded the aircraft following the incident pending the outcome of the investigation.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
