The commissioner of Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, Dr. Felix Abali has enjoined people who always try to pre-empt accident investigations to apply the brake and allow AIB to do its job.
Speaking in his welcome address at the stakeholders forum on the presentation of the draft amendment to the AIB regulations, Dr Abali stated that there are statutory processes to be engaged before reports are released to the public.
He pointed out that it is also not unusual to find many people eager to know the cause of aircraft accidents, even in a matter of days.
“But accident investigation process is more complex that many often imagine. We must be painstaking and thorough so as to arrive at a conclusion that is not only fair and transparent but can also be scientifically proven”, he said.
He explained that “all these take time. It is therefore important to appeal to the public and concerned citizens to please show some understanding and patience during air mishaps.”
Dr. Abali maintained that accident investigations are conducted with a view to re-constructing events leading to the occurrence, so as to be well positioned to locate safety hazards, conduct risk assessments and proffer safety recommendations that will mitigate or eliminate unacceptable risks.
The commissioner of AIB noted that the exercise is very critical in raising the bar of aviation safety.
While thanking the aviation stakeholders for their inputs, the AIB boss observed that the invitation is with a view to interfacing with the aviation community and get their valuable comments, opinion and suggestions on the proposed amendments to AIB regulations.
Dr. Abali noted that this will not only make the document to be more robust but will make the process more transparent and inclusive.
In his words: “Review is the livewire of any organisation that is serious about growth and progress. Our experience in our local environment coupled with global imperatives has made the current review a necessity.
Regulation is an important tool for carrying out the functions of accident investigation as it sets out the framework for the day-to-day operations of the Bureau. The Bureau’s enabling law, which also domesticated International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Annexe 13, forms the bedrock of the regulations. There are, however several Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs) that we need to conform with”.
“Accident investigation is a global exercise and so we must align ourselves with global standards if we must be on top of our job and contribute meaningfully to global aviation safety. The proposed amended regulations will enhance our efficiency and further empower us to deliver on our mandate, he said.
Dr Abali explained that Accident investigation is a strong pillar of aviation safety as it seeks to prevent accidents and incidents even as it enhances air safety.
In his words, “According to ICAO definition of accident investigation, it is a process conducted for the purpose of accident prevention, which includes the gathering and analysis of information, the drawing of conclusions, including the determination of causes and, when appropriate, the making of safety recommendations.
“According to ICAO Annex 13, the sole objective of the investigation of an accident or incident shall be the prevention of accidents and incidents. It is not the purpose of this activity to apportion blame or liability. This may, however run against the expectation of many members of the public and the press, which may be understandable due to the emotion laden atmosphere that usually accompanies air mishaps. ”
He said: “Besides the accident site investigation that is usually open to the public, accident investigation entails gathering information from diverse sources including documentation such as maintenance and personnel records, regulatory authority records, flight planning documents and operators manuals.
Other sources are recordings such as flight recorders, interviews, direct observations of actions performed by operating or maintenance personnel in their work environment, stimulations, specialist advice, safety databases and so on.”
He commended the diligence and commitment of members of the committee that worked on the draft document, stressing that their tireless efforts have produced the document.
In his remarks, the minister of state for aviation Senator Hadi Sirika who was represented by his special adviser technical, Captain Nuhu Musa
noted that the amendment process has been duly followed as stipulated in the sub-sisting Regulation, 2006 with the participation of the observer to the Bureau’s Regulation Committee reporting back to the Federal Ministry of Aviation on the amendments.
Sirika observed that all relevant amendments are in conformity with the ICAO Annex 13 on Accident Investigation which has been included in this draft amendment.
He implore the stakeholders to do justice and make their valuable contribution to the draft amendment to further improve the sector in the aviation industry.
“It is my belief that your input will be considered and included in the final Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations 2016 for Minister of State Aviation assent. I look forward to having updated Regulations for the Accident Investigation Bureau, which will ultimately enhance the aviation safety in Nigeria”, he said.
The minister stated that aviation safety like security in non negotiable.
Photo caption
From right, Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer, Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB)Dr. Felix Abali, Special Assistant (Technical) to the Minister of State for Aviation, representing the Minister of Aviation, Capt. Musa Nurudeen and President, Aviation Round Table (ART), Mr. Gbenga Olowo at a Stakeholders Workshop on Proposed Amendment to Accident Investigation Regulations by AIB held at Ikeja, Lagos.
