THE Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has said the crashed Bell 26 B III helicopter belonging to Quorum Aviation did not have a Flight Data Recorder (FRD) otherwise known as black box.
Speaking to aviation journalists at the Lagos office of the AIB, the Commissioner of the Bureau, Akin Olateru clarified that no black box was retrieved from the helicopter.
He said, “We would like to clarify that AIB did not retrieve an FDR from the aircraft as the Bell 206 is certified at approximately 1,519kg (3,350lbs) and featured five seats.
“It does not meet the necessary criteria for an FDR and was not featured with one.
“It is extremely important to note that the aviation industry is the most regulated industry globally and its operations are regulated in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
“The installation and application of FDRs in aircraft is guided by ICAO Annex 6, Parts 1 and 2.
“The basic standards for both parts are essentially similar.
“Part one applies to commercial aircraft while Part 2 is for non-commercial operations.
“An FDR on the aircraft would have aided the investigation but nevertheless our world class trained investigators are competent to retrieve information about a crash from the wreckage and several other components of the aircraft, the site of the crash, communication with the ATC, and other documents on the aircraft.”
