The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) says it has not recovered the black box at the crash site of the ill-fated Quorum Helicopter that occurred on Friday in Lagos.
The Bureau’s Commissioner, Mr Akin Olateru, made this known at a media briefing in Lagos on Tuesday, NAN reports.
Olateru said that the Helicopter type does not fall into the category that has a Flight Data Recorder (FDR) or the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), because of the weight and the seat size of the aircraft.
He said: “We are aware of the speculations circulating on social media and other public fora with regards to the probable cause of the crash and AIB’s retrieval of the Flight Data Recorder (FDR), popularly known as the Black Box.
“We would like to clarify that AIB did not retrieve an FDR from the aircraft as the Bell 206 is certified at approximately 1,519kg (3,350lbs) and featured five seats.
“It does not meet the necessary criteria for an FDR and was not featured with one. The standard requirement for an FDR in any aircraft is 10 seats.
“It is extremely important to note that the aviation industry is the most regulated globally, and its operations are regulated in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
“The installation and application of FDRs in aircraft are guided by ICAO Annex 6, Parts 1 and 2.
“The basic standards for both Parts are essentially similar. Part 1 applies to commercial aircraft, while Part 2 is for non-commercial operations.”
Olateru further explained that an FDR on the aircraft would have aided the investigation, adding that its world-class trained investigators were competent to retrieve information about a crash from the wreckage.
He also revealed that from evidence gathered till date, the helicopter had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness (C of A) till Oct. 29, 2020, and Quorum Aviation had a valid Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) that would expire Nov. 20, 2020.
Recall that the unfortunate accident, which occurred on Friday, at No. 16, Salvation Road in Opebi, north of Lagos involved a Bell Helicopter 206-B III, Serial Number 3216, Engine Model Allison 250–C20B.
Also, the Acting Coordinator, Lagos Territorial Office of NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, while confirming the incident said “One person was rescued alive while two persons including the pilot died.
