NSIB: Pilot of crashed Police Bell 429 helicopter was unqualified to fly

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has revealed that the Bell 429 helicopter owned and operated by the Nigeria Police Air Wing, which crashed at Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Airport, Bauchi, on January 26, 2022, was piloted by an individual not qualified to operate the flight.

Speaking during a press conference to release seven investigative reports, NSIB Director General Alex Badeh disclosed that while the pilot held a valid license, certification, and type-rating as Second in Command (SIC) on the Bell 429 helicopter, he was not qualified to act as the Pilot in Command (PIC). Badeh clarified that the pilot did not meet the eligibility requirements outlined in sections 2.3.1.3 – (a), (b), and (c), 2.3.2.1 – (a)(3) and (b), and 8.14.9.4 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2015.

“The investigation determined that the pilot was not qualified or competent to operate the flight as PIC,” Badeh stated.

Additionally, the Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) issued to the Nigeria Police Air Wing (NPAW) by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had expired in September 2017 and was never renewed.

The investigation further revealed that the accident flight was improperly dispatched and did not comply with relevant regulations, particularly Subpart 8.14, subsections 8.14.2.11, 8.14.2.12, and 18.2.4.2 of the Nig. CARs 2015.

Although the helicopter had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness, the mass and center of gravity were not determined prior to departure due to a lack of adequate documentation. The NSIB noted that the Nigeria Police Air Wing’s Operations Unit had insufficient coordination during flight preparation.

The report also highlighted inadequate lighting at the aerodrome for maneuvers, approach, and landing during operational hours. Despite these limitations, the flight attempted three approaches outside the aerodrome’s operational hours.

Badeh confirmed that the co-pilot was certified, licensed, and fully qualified to act as either PIC or Co-pilot under the relevant sections of Nig. CARs 2015. “The co-pilot’s qualifications and competency were appropriate,” he said.

The accident flight was filed under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), with an Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) of 16:30 h, as per the flight plan. However, the helicopter actually departed at 16:54 h, 24 minutes after the planned ETA, and arrived at its destination at 19:36 h—well into the night.

The NSIB report emphasized that the inaccurate ETA of 16:30 h, which was neither authentic nor realistic, should have prompted Air Traffic Control (ATC) to verify its validity and confirm arrangements for extending operational hours at the destination aerodrome.

“The ATC could have advised NPAW to ensure that operational hours were extended at the destination. If this had been done, DNBC would have been prepared for the arrival of the helicopter, with adequate communication, approach, landing aids, and other facilities to ensure a safe landing,” Badeh concluded.

Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at NeptunePrime.

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