AIB Acquires New Investigation Equipment

In an effort to improve its operations, the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has acquired a new mobile Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT).

The equipment which is to be installed in one of its operational vehicles will enable it carry out its aviation accident and incident investigations from any remote location in Nigeria and establish the location and where it is going at the time of deployment.

The new technology is one of the steps taken by the agency to fast track its air accident investigation, which before now was encumbered by inadequate equipment, said AIB Commissioner, Kayode Oduselu.

According to Oduselu, the quipment will allow the dish, which is mounted on the vehicle access automatic statellite data and images for referencing in the global positioning system (GPS) on board, adding that the technology deployed for the equipment is powered by iNetVu, which delivers a relaibel, high speed two way statellite based internet connection.

He noted that the equipment delivers a relaibe, high speed two way statellite based internet connection, which allows its users to surf the web, access electronic mail, communicate using the deployed packages and uploading of urgent reports at any time from any location.

“When information is essential, regardless of location or circumstance, you can trust the iNetVu to deliver on time, every time”, he said, adding  “no matter when, or where, this technology does not fail even in the remotest of locations. Where other infrastructure do not exist, this technology comes to the rescue”.

“The iNetVu is a mobile auto acquisition satellite autenna system that delivers, secure high speed internet access from virtually anywhere on the planet and with the simple push of a button, it automatically unfolds, locates the appropriate satellite. Locks on a signal and establishes a connection”.

The AIB Commissioner said the agency is of the Ministry of Aviation and is responsible for the investigation of civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents within Nigeria. The body, according to him, has 14 technical officers comprising pilots, engineers, accronautical and aircraft maintenance experts, air traffic controllers, air worthiness experts and fire safety engineers.

The fundamental objective of AIB, he noted, is to improve aviation safety by deteminining the circumstances and causes of air accidents and serious incidents as well as making safety recommendations intended to prevent recurrence of similar accidents in future. It is not the purpose of this activity to apportion blame or liability.