Barely Two Weeks of Helicopter Crash, FG Urged to Include NAAPE in Helicopter Crash Investigation

The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has called on the Federal Government to include a pilot in the investigation panel probing the recent Sikorsky SK76 helicopter crash in Port Harcourt.

NAAPE’s National President, Abednego Galadima, emphasized that global best practices dictate pilot representation in air crash investigations. Stressing that the need to upgrade emergency response and rescue infrastructure, citing subpar conditions.

“Without preempting the investigation that is ongoing, we want to urge the government to ensure that infrastructure for emergency rescue and response during accidents is top notch. From what we have gathered, it wasn’t optimal.

“We also want to call on government to ensure that no stone is left unturned in investigating to see to the fact that every cause, both remote and distant cause of this accident is identified, the aim is to forestall future occurrences.

“It is important that while we await what the NSIB will come with, we also want to call on government as it is done in other climes that NAAPE be given an opportunity to have a representative on the investigation panel so that we can participate in the investigation from the beginning to the end of the exercise.”

The crash, which occurred on November 24, claimed the life of NAAPE’s Vice President, Captain Yakubu Dukas. Therefore, Galadima urged the government to ensure a thorough investigation, identifying all causes of the accident to prevent future occurrences.

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Jerome Kalu

Jerome Kalu is currently the Senior Correspondent of PIJAlance in Lagos. He was previously the Campus Information Desk (CID) Editor.