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Bauchi Airport In Complete Darkness When Police Helicopter Crashed – Report
The Accident Investigation Bureau, Nigeria (AIB-N) has released four preliminary reports on serious incidents and accident involving aircraft owned and operated by United Nigeria Airlines Limited, Max Air, Air Peace and the Nigerian Police Air Wing.
A Bell Helicopter with registration number: 5N-MDA belonging to the Nigeria Police had crashed in Bauchi State on January, 2022, with six people on board comprising three passengers and three crew members. However, there were injuries but no fatality.
Releasing a preliminary report on the incident three months after, the AIB-N said the police’s helicopter, which departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, (NAIA), Abuja to Maiduguri on a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight plan with a planned technical stop at Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Airport, Bauchi crashed at 19:47hrs in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC).
The AIB-N blamed the incident on a breakdown of onboard equipment and communication gaps between the crew and control towers.
The report stated that at 17:50hrs, the tower cleared the aircraft to Abuja control zone boundary en route to Bauchi, not above 5,500ft and to standby lift.
It said the tower then passed prevailing wind as 110/04kts and further cleared the helicopter to lift, left turn out after lift in which the pilot responded in affirmative.
The report stated that the crew further stated that at 18:40hrs when they were abeam Jos Airport, they made attempt again to establish two-way communication with Jos tower, but proved abortive.
However, despite this, the flight still continued as filed, but at 18:46hrs, the helicopter tried to establish initial contact with Bauchi tower on 124.5 MHz without response.
This, the report said the crew continued its failed attempt to establish two-way communication with the Jos tower every five-minute intervals until they got to the Bauchi control zone boundary, yet, continued with preparations for landing with the belief that even if the tower was closed, provided the airport was illuminated, they could land.
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Unfortunately, at 5 NM to Bauchi, there was no sign of any lighting at the airport as the entire airport was in complete darkness.
The helicopter descended to 3,000ft and positioned for the runway centerline using Global Positioning System (GPS), but the pilot was able to have visual contact with the runway centerline, which he later lost due to darkness and later initiated a ‘go around.’
The report added: “During the final approach to land at the third attempt, the PM suddenly saw a tree on its flight path, which was neither detected by the GPWS nor the Terrain Awareness Warning System (TAWS). The crew verified that both systems were certified functional prior to the flight, also the Aural Warning (AW) did not sound and the visual display didn’t indicate that the aircraft was approaching an obstacle.
The report explained that at 19:47hrs, as the crew pulled up to avoid the tree, one of the main rotor blades hit the branches of the tree, while the helicopter tail rotor struck the tree, which resulted in the accident.
“At that moment when the skid of the helicopter had contact with the ground, Bauchi tower called 5N-MDA on the radio “Aircraft calling Bauchi tower” and the PM replied, “we are on the ground.” Bauchi Tower further asked “confirm on ground air force side? “, but the crew did not respond. The crew and passengers disembarked without injury.”
The report stated that the helicopter was substantially damaged due to the impact of the accident.
AIB-N issued 11 safety recommendations to the Nigerian Police Air Wing (NPAW), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
It asked the Air Wing to always adhere to the applicable provisions of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs 2015) sub-part 8.6 on Flight Planning and Supervision, while also ensuring that its flight crew take cognisance and adhere strictly to the operating hours of destination and alternate airfields before the commencement of flights.
It said NAMA on the other hand should ensure adequate and timely coordination of Visual Flight Rule (VFR) flights between departure and destination aerodromes and also ensure that VFR flight operations are conducted within the weather minima and specified for such operations.
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For NCAA, AIB-N recommended that the agency should ensure that NAMA always verifies that all VFR flights arrive at destinations within the operational duty hours of the destination airport and that the conduct of the flight meets the minimum VFR flights requirements, in accordance with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs 2015) and Nigerian Aerospace Management Agency’s approved manuals.
Other reports are the Serious Incident involving Max Air Boeing 737-300 aircraft, which was parked at Abuja airport with nationality and registration marks 5N-DAB and involved in an on-ground collision with Skyway Aviation Handling Co. Plc (SAHCO) lavatory service truck with fleet number 9/5 on 21st November 2021.
Another preliminary report issued was on the Serious Incident involving the United Nigeria Airlines Embraer 145LR aircraft with nationality and registration marks 5N-BWW, which was climbing out of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Nigeria when a serious incident occurred at about 4,000 feet on 17th November, 2021.
The last was on the serious incident involving a Boeing 737-300 aircraft owned and operated by Air Peace Limited with nationality and registration marks 5N-BUQ, which occurred after take-off from Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri, Nigeria enroute Lagos on 22nd November, 2021.
DAILY TRUST
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Guidelines Violation: TikTok removes 2.1 million videos in Nigeria
Guidelines Violation: TikTok removes 2.1 million videos in Nigeria
TikTok has removed more than 2.1 million videos in Nigeria during the second quarter of 2024 for breaching its community guidelines, the company revealed in its latest Community Guidelines Enforcement Report.
The removed videos account for less than 1% of total uploads in Nigeria during the period.
The report, released on Tuesday, highlighted TikTok’s proactive content moderation efforts, with 99.1% of the videos being taken down before users reported them, and 90.7% removed within 24 hours.
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TikTok reaffirmed its commitment to creating a safer platform for Nigerian users, noting its continued investment in advanced technologies to enhance content moderation and mitigate risks.
Globally, TikTok removed over 178 million videos in June 2024, with 144 million of these flagged by automated systems.
The company boasted a 98.2% proactive detection rate worldwide, underscoring its efficiency in addressing harmful content before users encounter it.
Guidelines Violation: TikTok removes 2.1 million videos in Nigeria
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Libya’s highest authority ordered me to divert Super Eagles flight, says pilot
Libya’s highest authority ordered me to divert Super Eagles flight, says pilot
Tunisian pilot who recently flew the Super Eagles of Nigeria to Libya
The Tunisian pilot who flew the Super Eagles of Nigeria to Libya has spoken out about the controversy surrounding the flight diversion.
In a now-viral video, the pilot said the original plan was to land in Benina, a town in the Benghazi area of Libya, with prior approval from the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority.
He said, however, upon beginning their descent, he was instructed to divert to Al-Abraq, which was not listed as an alternate airport.
The Tunisian man said he was told the order for flight diversion came from “Libya’s highest authorities”.
He said he repeatedly questioned the flight diversion order due to the limitation of aviation fuel but was “ignored by Libyan aviation authorities”.
“The flight plan was to land in Benghazi, Benina, and we had approval from the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority,” the pilot said.
“However, as we began our descent, we were instructed to divert to Al-Abraq, which wasn’t even listed as our alternate airport.
“This decision came from the highest authorities, not me. In aviation, we calculate fuel based on our destination. Diverting unexpectedly can compromise safety.
“Everything is documented. I asked to land in Benghazi as per my flight plan, but they denied it, instructing me to divert immediately.
“I repeatedly questioned the directive and warned them about fuel limitations, but they insisted that we land in Al-Abraq, citing orders from the highest authority.”
The Tunisian pilot who flew the Super Eagles to Libya explained what really happened.
— YabaLeftOnline (@yabaleftonline) October 15, 2024
BACKGROUND
The Super Eagles’ flight landed at the Al Abaq airport for the second leg of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Libya.
The match was scheduled for Tuesday at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Benina, Benghazi.
However, the Super Eagles players and coaches were held at the Al Abaq airport for over 20 hours without food and drinks.
On Monday morning, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced the Super Eagles’ withdrawal from the qualifying match and asked them to return home. The Nigerian team then arrived in Kano from Libya.
Reacting to the situation, the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) said the flight diversion experienced by the Nigerian national team was not “intentional”.
The LFF rejected claims of “foul play or sabotage” and argued that their team faced a similar situation in Nigeria.
Reacting, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said it is investigating the “disturbing” incident.
Libya’s highest authority ordered me to divert Super Eagles flight, says pilot
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Police in Imo burst robbery gang terrorising Owerri
Police in Imo burst robbery gang terrorising Owerri
Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have dismantled a notorious armed robbery syndicate terrorising residents of Owerri North Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesperson of the command, ASP Henry Okoye, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, credited the success to the enhanced security measures put in place by the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, aimed at tackling violent crimes.
“Upon arrival, the officers were met with gunfire from the armed robbers.
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The officers, displaying remarkable bravery, quickly assumed strategic positions and returned fire.
“During the confrontation, one suspect was neutralised, while another named Moses Nanzi ‘m’, 31, of Faringada in Plateau State, sustained gunshot injuries and was arrested. The remaining gang members fled into the bushes.
“A double-barrel gun and seven rounds of live cartridges from the arrested suspect.
“Efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing gang members. The suspect will certainly face prosecution upon completion of a thorough investigation.”
“The Imo State Police Command remains committed to ensuring residents’ safety and urges the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest Police Station or via 0803 477 3600. Together we can enhance the safety and security of the State for economic growth and development.”
Police in Imo burst robbery gang terrorising Owerri
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