A preliminary investigation into the crash of Associated Airline that killed at least 13 people in Nigeria has shown that the crew were concerned about the aircraft even before departure.
According to Nigeria's Accident Investigation Bureau(AIB) investigation, the captain took off despite continuous automated voice warnings and the first officer’s suggestion they abort the flight.
The Brazilian-made Embraer-120 aircraft “impacted the ground in a nose-down near 90-degree right bank” after an apparent aerodynamic stall, said the report from bureau.
Flight 361 burst into flames meters (yards) from tanks at a fuel depot, minutes after taking off Oct. 3 from Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital. It was carrying 13 passengers and seven crew members. Officials have given differing death tolls between 13 and 16 and have not said if the pilot and his first officer survived.
DNA tests are being carried out on the remains of victims, indicating some were burned beyond recognition.
“Crew decision-making and training with respect to proceeding with the flight despite concerns regarding the aircraft’s suitability for flight” is one area of investigation, Friday’s report said.
Investigators also are focusing on “mechanical and electronic engine control issues” with the right engine and right engine propeller systems and aural warnings about the auto-feather and flap settings required for take-off.
The report does not elaborate on what the crew said before departure, saying the investigation has yet “to determine the specific nature of the crew’s concerns.”
It was compiled in part from the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder.
The first warning came four seconds after engine power was advanced to begin the take-off roll. “Take-off Flaps” was the automated warning suggesting the flaps were not in the correct position for takeoff. But the crew did not appear surprised and carried on even as the warnings continued.
Then the first officer noted the aircraft was moving slowly. Four seconds later another automated warning cautioned “Take off flaps, auto feather,” indicating the propeller was not producing any thrust.
The first officer asked if the take-off should be aborted. The captain indicated they should continue.
The first pilot did not make the customary calls of the speed at which a decision is made to abort or continue take-off.
Instead, “the first officer stated ‘gently’, which we believe reflects concern, that the aircraft is not performing normally and therefore needs to be rotated very gently so as not to aerodynamically stall the aircraft.”
Ten seconds later, the stall warning sounded in the cockpit.
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