AIB releases first international aircraft investigation report in Sao Tome

Accident Investigation Bureau Nigeria has just set another standard in the region in releasing timely and accurate air accident report in Sao Tome and Principe, its spokesman, Tunji Oketumbi has said.

Oketumbi said it was a fallout of effective collaboration and cooperation the Bureau has garnered in the last 24 months with the aviation stakeholders and the endless work by the Bureau’s investigators.

He said AIB Commissioner/CEO, Engr Akin Olateru led his team to submit the final report of the accident involving Cavok Airlines CVK 7087 AN-74TK-100 Aircraft Registered Ur-CKC, which occurred at Sao Tome International Airport, Sao Tome on July 29, 2017.

The Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA) had invited AIB Nigeria to conduct an investigation into this crash, which by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annexe 13 is the responsibility of the state where it occurred.

Oketumbi said this was very significant as for the first time in the history of Accident Investigation Bureau, accident investigation was handled by the Bureau on behalf of another state or a regional body.

The delegates, Oketumbi said, visited the Nigerian Embassy and were received by the Charge De affaire, Mrs Faith. Ekwekwuo.

She welcomed and appreciated the good job the Bureau did to have helped investigate the air accident and release of the final report.

She also commended the Bureau for maintaining a good relationship with the Sao Tome authorities.

He said: “The Bureau came into terms and executed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Instituto Nacional De Aviaco Civil (National Civil Aviation Authority of Sao Tome &Principe) of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome.

The agreement was in four parts – cooperation, capacity building, exchange of information on accident investigation and assistance in cases of any air accident within both countries.

“This was a bid to further strengthen a good relationship and effective collaboration towards achieving a common goal in the air accident investigation sector in Africa.”