Doomed Aircraft First Flew 22 Years Ago!
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/doomed-aircraft-first-flew-22-years-ago-/117324/
Rescue workers at the crash site
Dana Air operates the oldest fleet in Nigeria, THISDAY can report today, as serious safety issues continue to arise on the cause of the tragic flight that consumed over 160 lives last Sunday.
The ill-fated craft, McDonnell Douglas 83 (MD83), which was bought from Alaska Airlines, US, operated its first flight 22 years ago, according to Dana Airline at a press briefing Monday. Dana bought the aircraft in 2009.
Although there is an endless argument about age of the aircraft, proper maintenance and its prone to accidents, but indications show that this particular aircraft involved in Sunday’s accident has been “overflogged” by the airline.
As at three weeks ago, two of Dana Air’s aircraft were still off on C Check (maintenance) and there were being expected to be ferried back to join operations.
The airline with six aircraft (minus two) had to use existing four aircraft to operate its many routes.
It rescheduled its Abuja-Lagos flight and dropped its second morning flight; it stopped its Lagos-Enugu flight and also cut back on other destinations.
Yet the services of the four existing aircraft were still over stretched as the airline strove to meet its schedule obligations.
On Sunday, there were no weather issues when the aircraft crashed and it was operating on wind 190 degrees at 7 knots and the winds varying between 140 and 230 degrees.
Visibility was 10+ km; Scatter clouds at 1400 feet; Temperature 30°C, Dew point 23°C and it crashed at 1500 m to 2000 m to the domestic runway, 18L.
Visibility was 10+ km; Scatter clouds at 1400 feet; Temperature 30°C, Dew point 23°C and it crashed at 1500 m to 2000 m to the domestic runway, 18L.
Technically, the coast was very clear for smooth landing.
According to Aviation Safety Network of Flight Safety Foundation, the crashed aircraft was the 29th loss of MD 80 series; it was the 5th worst accident involving the MD series and the third worst accident in Nigeria.
The ill-fated aircraft was from the family of DC 9 aircraft manufacturing.
According to Wikipedia, the MD-80 was produced on a common line with the DC-9 with which it shares its line number sequence. It stated the production of the MD 80 series in 1982.
Weeks before Sunday’s crash, there had been several safety incidents linked to the aircraft, MD 83, with registration number 5N RAM, and other similar aircraft being operated by the airline.
Through operational efficiency, timely departures and good onboard services, Dana Air in the few years it has operated in Nigeria has gathered customer loyalty such that many Nigerians and others preferred to fly Dana Air only on their domestic trips.
But recently there have been reports by passengers of incidents bordering on safety issues, prompting some of them to vow not to fly the airline again.
On May 10, 2012 the same aircraft with 85 passengers, coming from Uyo to Lagos, made an emergency landing at the international runway, known as 19 Right, of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, owing to loss of hydraulic. The runway was temporarily closed.
Meanwhile, Dana Airlines Monday explained that the MD83 aircraft was still serviceable and operational “despite being 22 years old”.
Speaking at De Skyline Hotel, Director of Flight Operations, Captain Oscar Wilson, with Director of Ground Operations, Amos Olajide, and Communication Manager, Tony Usidamen, said the aircraft was “in good condition”.
Wilson said the aircraft had flown to Ibadan on Saturday without hitches contrary to rumours that it was undergoing repairs. He said that Sunday was a different story entirely as the aircraft had started operations as early as 7.47am.
He said: “On Sunday, 5N-RAM flew at 7.47am left Lagos to Abuja on flight 999 and Abuja back to Lagos on Flight 998. The aircraft went back to Abuja flight 993 and was coming back before the fatal flight 992.
“No aircraft would go if not in perfect condition. We don’t take risks with people’s lives. I did the test flight myself. There was nothing wrong with the aircraft. It was okay.”
On rumours of sanctions from the NCAA as reasons why the airline was not flying, Olajide said that it would look inhuman for an airline to record such casualties and yet carry on as if nothing happened.
According to him, the operations were suspended by the airline itself.
“Immediately after the crash, we suspended all operations and cancelled the remaining flight. At least we needed to put human feelings for the lost souls. If we do not stop operations, that means we have no respect for the lost souls and for Nigerians,” he said.
Managing Director of the airline, Jacky Hathiramani, in an earlier statement expressed his sympathies to the families and friends of the deceased.
“The Dana Air family is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of the passengers and crew of flight 9J-922 of Sunday June 3, 2012. The aircraft, with registration number 5N-RAM, departed Abuja for Lagos with 146 passengers’ onboard.1 Dana Air Flight Engineer, two pilots and four cabin crew were also on the flight. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the deceased,” he said.
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