The bureau stated that the recovery of the flight recorders is a major step in determining what happened during the flight from Lagos to Asaba.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has recovered the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) from the Bombardier Challenger CL-601 aircraft involved in a runway incident near Asaba, Delta State.
The Bureau disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, saying the aircraft, operated by VMO Aero Limited and registered N989BC, was involved in the incident on Wednesday.
According to the NSIB, investigators were deployed immediately upon receiving notification of the occurrence.
The bureau stated that the recovery of the flight recorders marks a critical step in the efforts to determine what happened during the flight from Lagos to Asaba.
“Following notification of the occurrence, the NSIB immediately activated its emergency response procedures, deployed an investigative team to the site and commenced investigation into the incident,” the statement said.
The NSIB said the recovered recorders would undergo detailed analysis.
It added that investigators are also gathering operational, maintenance and air traffic control records relevant to the flight.
The bureau disclosed that it is working with relevant authorities and stakeholders in line with the national and international regulations governing accident and incident investigations.
According to the statement, the investigation will include examining technical records, interviewing relevant personnel, and reviewing available evidence.
The director-general of the NSIB, Alex Badeh, Jr., said the agency’s swift response would assist investigators in establishing the facts surrounding the occurrence.
“The immediate deployment of our investigative team and the recovery of the Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder are critical steps that will help establish the facts of this incident,” Mr Badeh said.
“Our commitment remains the advancement of aviation safety in Nigeria,” he added.
The bureau appealed to members of the public who may have witnessed the incident or have relevant information to assist investigators.
It solicited photographs, videos, CCTV footage or other materials that could support the investigation.
According to the NSIB, the objective of the investigation is to identify the circumstances and contributing factors that led to the incident and make safety recommendations to prevent recurrence.
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) grounded the aircraft and suspended the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight after the jet landed on a roadway near Asaba Airport and later returned to Lagos without obtaining regulatory approval.
The regulator also placed the flight crew under review and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding both the runway incident and the aircraft’s subsequent departure.
Following the occurrence, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, ordered a full investigation, directing relevant aviation agencies to determine the cause of the incident and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.
Preliminary information released by the NCAA indicated that the aircraft conducted a missed approach while attempting to land at Asaba Airport.
All four crew members on board were reported to have exited the aircraft safely, with no injuries or fatalities recorded.
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