Dana Air crash: we can’t release Interim Report now, says AIB

The Accident and Investigation Bureau (AIB) has said it cannot release the Interim Report of the June 3, Dana Air crash to the public because investigation is still on. 

It also asked anyone interested in the report of the crash to formally comply with Section 2 subsection 3(f) of the FOI Act 2011. 

Dana Air yesterday said some of its expatriate staff are also collaborating with investigating authorities to unravel the causes of the crash. 

The airline also admitted that it had made contact with 118 families and nine (9) embassies. 

Out of the families, it said 34 had filled insurance forms. 

But the AIB investigating the crash said it might not release an Interim Report now. 

The AIB made the clarifications in a June 22, 2012 response to an enquiry raised by an Abuja-based lawyer, Mr. Osuagwu Ugochukwu on June 14. 

The Bureau’s response, signed by its Legal Adviser, Mrs. M. A. Tsenongo, reads: “I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your email requesting for the Interim Report on the subject referenced above. 

“I am to inform you that investigation into the causes/contributory factors to the accident is ongoing and I am to request that you comply with Section 2 subsection 3(f) of the FOI Act 2011 formally. 

“Secondly, I am to inform you that it is within public knowledge that the Flight Data Recorder and cockpit Voice Recorder have been taken abroad by the Bureau for download which forms part of the relevant documents and are privileged information for the purpose of investigation. 

In a June 14 letter, an  Abuja lawyer, Mr. Osuagwu Ugochukwu, asked the Commissioner in charge of Accident and Investigation Bureau to release the Interim Report to his law firm- Victory and Rose Associates.

The letter reads: “Pursuant to Sections 1, 2, 4 and 5 Freedom of Information Act  2011 kindly provide our firm within seven days from now the Interim Report on the cause of Dana MD-83 Aircraft crash of June 3 2012. 

 “We also want to know if the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder have been taken to the laboratory for analysis. 

The Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Joe Obi, who spoke with our correspondent, yesterday said: “Interim Reports are not necessarily published because they could jeopardise final outcome of investigation. 

“But the Interim Reports are usually given to stakeholders who are supposed to do something or take remedial steps on observations made by investigators. For example, if in the course of an investigation, it is discovered that there is no runway lighting, the Interim Report will be made available to the affected stakeholder to take remedial steps and correct the problem. 

“So, as investigation progresses, whatever is noticed in the Interim Report is sent to any regulatory body to correct. Interim Report does not need to be published.” 

A daily update by Dana Air on the crash yesterday, however, said that some of its expatriate staff are also assisting investigating authorities. 

The update said: “Dana Air would like to respond to media coverage suggesting that expatriate staff of the airline have left the company’s employment since the accident. 

“Of the over 450 staff of the airline, most of whom are Nigerians, not one has left the company’s employment. 

“Dana Air is committed to finding out the cause of the unfortunate accident and some of our expatriate staff are among the airline’s officials currently assisting the investigating authorities in this regard. 

“All Dana Air staff are voluntarily assisting in one way or the other, especially with respect to visiting the affected families and providing information on processing of insurance claims. 

“Investigation into the cause of the accident is still on-going and Dana Air continues to offer every form of assistance to the investigating authorities.

“Dana Air shares in the pains of the affected families and continues to offer every form of assistance required by the hospital authorities and overseas laboratory to ensure that the process is completed as soon as possible, so that the families can lay their loved ones to rest. 

“As per last update on Friday, 22nd June, 98% of DNA samples had been successfully collected and dispatched to a UK laboratory for testing. 

“The company has now made direct contact with 118 families who lost loved ones in the accident and have also made contact with the nine (9) embassies managing communications with the families of those victims from other countries. 

“These families and embassies have been sent letters of condolence and the insurance documentation necessary in order to facilitate compensation payments. 

“As of the Close of business on Monday, June 25, the company had received completed insurance forms for 34 of the victims, 2 of which are our staff members.” 

To facilitate the completion of claims forms by the families the company has established toll free lines to a crisis management centre to provide assistance. The company will continue to provide this service until all claims have been addressed and settled.”