AIB Releases Report On Arik Air’s Incident

The Accident Investigation Burearu (AIB) has released the report on Arik Air’s incident that occurred in Jos a forthnight ago.

The AIB Commissioner, Murtala Usman in the report debunked claim that the tarmac had no markings as allegedly stated by the operators of the Arik Air.

The reports stated that on July 14, 2012, Arik Air 201, on a scheduled passenger flight touched down in Jos at 13.13hrs and parked at 13.20 hrs. the Jos bound passengers discembarked and the Lagos bound passengers embarked with the aircraft taxing out at 13.35 hrs.

According to him, “the aircraft was cleared to taxi to runway 10.

During taxi to runway in the rain, the aircraft winglet hit the wing of a parked C-130 aircraft belonging to Nigeria Airforce which was at the fourth parking lot at the tarmac. A portion of the winglet of Arik aircraft was embedded in the wing structure of the C-130 aircraft. There was damage to both aircraft and the time of this incident was 13.40hrs.

“The C-130 aircraft was authorised to park at that position. There were no injuries recorded. The aircraft was manufactured by Boeing in 2001”.

“The Arik Air pilot had an entry point into runway 10, but decided to use the other entry. The captain of Arik Air aircraft confirmed that when he tried to look out, rain had covered his window. The Arik Air captain accepted responsibility for the incident. The Apron markings were visible”.

Meanwhile, the management of Arik Air has assured the Nigerian Airforce that it would undertake the repairs of the damaged aircraft.

A statement signed by NAF Director of Information and Public Relations, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas said the management of Arik Air gave the assurance during a sympathy visit to the NAF over the incident.