AIB urges airlines to report incidents

By AYIBEMA NWOSU
Posted: Tuesday, February 15, 2011

The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has called on airlines operating in the country to take seriously the reporting of air incidents and accidents to the agency whenever such situations arise.
Describing the non-reporting of incidents attitude by airlines as a “barrier” to learning lessons from accidents, the bureau disclosed that accident investigation avails organizations and the aviation industry the opportunity to identify where defences have broken and ensures that it is fixed.
“When aviation organizations, especially airlines fail to report incidents, they are making it impossible to investigate such occurrences,” said Sam Oduselu, Commissioner of the bureau at a safety seminar organized by Bristow Helicopters in Lagos.
Mr. Oduselu, who was represented by the agency’s head of public affairs, Tunji Oketumbi, explained that non-reporting of incidents to the bureau bars beneficial information that would assist in the prevention of similar occurrences in the future, adding that during instances where airlines report incidents, they often tamper with the important details before contacting the investigation bureau.
“The result of non-reporting occurrences is that the system is denied the opportunity of learning the safety lessons that could help in preventing similar incident which may graduate to an accident if not arrested,” he said.
“In Nigeria, Accident Investigation Bureau is the independent and autonomous government agency charged with the responsibility to investigate air accidents and serious incidents. Empowered by Civil Aviation Act 2006, we report to the President
through the Minister of Aviation.”
The AIB’s commissioner said it is therefore compulsory for airlines in the aviation sector to avail the bureau all necessary information regarding any incident that hence forth occur in the country, as he noted that airlines should not relax in ensuring safety in the industry.
“It is therefore important and mandatory hat accident, serious incidents and incidents are promptly reported to AIB to ensure that it discharges her statutory responsibilities,” said Mr. Oduselu.