ANALYSING THE ADC PLANE CRASH
By Marshall Ifeanyi/Abel Nwabuche
 
The recent crash of the Nigerian airliner, ADC passenger jet, with 104 people on board, after it took off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja was a crisis that has received the widest reactions on the aviation sector so far. The incidence came at a time  the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) was expecting the arrival of some international inspectors who were to certify that some of the facilities in most of the nation’s airports are up-to-date.

The history of airplane crashes in Nigeria dates back to November 20, 1969 when the Nigerian Airways DC-10 aircraft crashed at Iju, near Lagos, killing 87 people on board. Within the last two decades, more air disasters have been recorded, in Nigeria which have left behind tales of sorrow, tears and bereavements.
           

The Sunday crash of the ADC airliner which was operating the early morning schedule from Lagos to Sokoto, via Abuja, came at crucial period when it had remained just a few weeks to the ten years anniversary of its first and only crash of November, 1996 which had 143 on board perished. There are speculations that whenever ADC is rising its, growth will be halted by some terrible incidents. The implication of this for ADC is obvious, as public confidence in the airline will surely drop thereafter.
          

Meanwhile, the Nigeria government and its officials have both collectively and individually decried the ugly trends. It was described as a cruel some and extremely painful occurrence lacking an adequate phrase to capture it and which left noted public figure weeping openly. Generally, it has all be shock and speechless for most government functionaries especially members of the National Assembly who have lost some of their vibrant members as well as sokoto state government that lost a large number of its eminent personalities. It is a moment of that calls for sober reflection in the aviation industry.
            

After the two horrible plane disasters of 2005, involving the Bellview airline in Lisa and the Sosoliso in Port Harcourt the Federal Government has made remarkable effort to guarantee the safety in the nation’s aviation industry. Immediately after these ugly incidents, the presidency called for a presidential forum where experts gathered towards making the aviation industry a disaster free .Government also renewed its commitment in the industry by providing more funds, infrastructure as well as in the areas of training and re-training of manpower. It also gave some guidelines to the airline operators to update their facilities and ensure that airplanes that had been in service for so many years were discarded. These gestures and others, government said, should be a continuous process.
           

However, the recent air crash of ADC airline, with a total of 104 passengers on board, took everybody by surprise. Former minister of aviation, Prof. Babalola Borishade has blamed the crash on poor discretion on the part of the pilot. According to the Minister three aircrafts belonging to Aerocontractor, Virgin Nigeria and the crashed ADC were to take off before the control tower told them to hold on for some minutes because of bad weather. While the other two complied; the ADC pilot according to him informed the control room that he would taxi to take-off  point and wait, only to get there and informed the control tower that he had to take off immediately .
         

Just like in any other profession, the ability, experience and current level of knowledge of a pilot are very vital to running and operating a safe flight. The pilot, as in the global standard, should undergo regular training on the latest techniques likewise the air and management staff in the relevant agencies of the aviation sector. Medical examination too should be conducted regularly. Adequate and regular checks on the airlines are required in adherence to proper and efficient maintenance culture.
           

The poor safety standards which President Obasanjo in December last year blamed on corruption and corner-cuts by airlines has forced the government to provide stiff conditions for operators and has banned some airlines from operating. It was then that aged and other categories of rickety aircrafts were banned from operating in Nigeria.
      

With the spate of air disasters in the country in recent time, it would be necessary to have a legislative backing to effectively regulate the aviation industry. For instance, information from the tower should always be enforced. In cases where weather reports indicate danger of flying, the airport authorities should be given the mandate to temporarily shut down airports till the atmosphere is clear. Special treatments for VIPs should be discontinued especially in situations where the airspace is closed down to commercial planes because of the presence of some public figures and where airlines are delayed or hastened to takeoff due to the of pressure from some eminent personalities.
            Though, the government is yet to release the white papers on the past reports of investigations into the sector, the various regulatory agencies such as the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency and others, should review their aviation regulations to be in conformity with global standards. In fact, deregulation of the aviation industry in Nigeria initiated about a decade ago, which was intended to encourage private investors into the business, may require critical appraisal and review to avert dangers from future crisis. The government has done its best and would continue to do so. The private sector too, must make sure that it supports the government in stabilizing our economy with a wholehearted partnership.
 
Marshall Ifeanyi/Abel Nwabuche
National Press Centre, Abuja

 

Robot  Villager

# 1 Deregulation of the aviation industry in Nigeria initiated about ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 17.11.2006 07:03

salstep  Villager

# 2 Any point to this article? The title is mileading. I dont see any analysis. However, the recent air crash of ADC airline, with a total of 104 passengers on board, took everybody by surprise. Former minister of aviation, Prof. Babalola Borishade has blamed the crash on poor discretion on the part of the pilot. According to the Minister three aircrafts belonging to Aerocontractor, Virgin Nigeria and the crashed ADC were to take off before the control tower told them to hold on for some minutes because of bad weather. While the other two complied; the ADC pilot according to him informed the control room that he would taxi to take-off point and wait, only to get there and informed the control tower that he had to take off immediately And what is the reason for above quote? Please don't waste my precious time reading inadequate acticles. Can't believe 2 people put this together. Posted by salstep| 17.11.2006 07:36

Fjord  Villager

# 3 Ifeanyi, Nwabuche: where's the analysis? not fair, eh, luring readers with that word. Plus, either or both of you should've corrected your piece; of course, one hopes it wasn't corrected. . Posted by Fjord| 17.11.2006 09:26

skanbroy  Villager

# 4 This is the worst piece of Junk i have read in a long time, and to think two so called journalists (Nigeria press center) wrote this, says a lot about the depth journalism has sunk in Nigeria. A form 2 student would write a better essay. Rubbish! Posted by skanbroy| 17.11.2006 10:31

WaleAkin  Villager

# 5 Oma se ohhh I was really expecting to read an entirely new story of the ADC crash and not this funny trend that emits nonsensical nonsense An indepth analysis should encompass the following: 1. A good overview of the aviation industry 2. The main reasons why we keep having plane crashes 3. A rolled up interview with stakeholders in the industry 4. Pictorial evidences of the rots at our various local and Int'l airports 5. Analysis of this particular air crash- dem no dey watch AIR CRASH INVESTIGATION on SKY TV ni? 6. The way forward!! Its so shameful to read that both writers are journalists who even work in Abuja, site of the air crash and can not even give us a better analysis and/or true situation of events. Nigerian Journalists are indeed another breed of sapiens.................a la the likes of Diran Odeyemi and Niran Malaolu............Money for hand, back for ground!! Blatant time wasters!! Cheers, Wale Posted by WaleAkin| 18.11.2006 06:31

emj  Villager

# 6 zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...........excuz me Oga admin, is there a way dat i fit put some articles with the writers join for my Ignore list or Delete dem patapata.......or u get am for shredder wey man pikin fit use to shred dis lazy delivery?...........abegi na from which planet dis journalists dem bin drop from..........Ewu analysis indeed........Ku dena iskanchi......Original spamming na hin just shele. Posted by emj| 18.11.2006 09:18

salstep  Villager

# 7 At least we all agree on something for once. I like the idea of ignore list for spamming like this Posted by salstep| 18.11.2006 09:25