Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Abuja: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 13, 1994 at 1155 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
5N-ATQ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Lagos - Abuja
MSN:
538
YOM:
1977
Location:
Abuja
Abuja Federal Capital Territory
Country:
Nigeria
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While descending to Abuja-Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low clouds, heavy rain falls and moderate to severe turbulences. As the ILS was out of calibration, the crew decided to perform a VOR/DME approach but following a misunderstanding of the VOR location, the crew started the final approach prematurely. Too low, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located 12,2 km short of runway 22. Two people survived while three others were killed.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the crew who initiated the descent prematurely, causing the aircraft to descend too low too early. Poor weather conditions were considered as contributing factors.

Crash of a BAe 125-700B in Kaduna: 7 killed

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1985
Type of aircraft:
BAe 125
Operator:
Registration:
5N-AXP
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Abuja - Kaduna
MSN:
257203
YOM:
1983
Location:
Kaduna
Kaduna
Country:
Nigeria
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The crew was cleared to descent to 4,500 feet when the aircraft went out of control and crashed in an open field located 32 km short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all seven occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident was not determined with certainty. However, it is believed that the loss of control was the consequence of the combination of the following factors:
- Lack of altitude awareness on part of the crew,
- Crew distraction,
- Poor judgment on part of the crew,
- Possible optical illusion or wrong perception on approach due to intensity of the approach lights.

Crash of a Fokker F28 Fellowship 1000 in Kano: 16 killed

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1978 at 1243 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fokker F28 Fellowship
Operator:
Registration:
5N-ANA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Abuja - Kano
MSN:
11993
YOM:
1970
Location:
Kano
Kano
Country:
Nigeria
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Aircraft flight hours:
10625
Aircraft flight cycles:
13303
Circumstances:
While descending to Kano-Mallam Aminu Kano Airport, the crew was instructed to maintain FL65 as a Nigerian Air Force MiG-21 was performing touch-and-go maneuvers at the same airport. After the jet trainer completed its touch-and-go and was taking off, its crew was informed about the approach of the F28 which should land first on runway 05. On short final, both aircraft collided and crashed in flames about 2 km short of runway threshold. Both aircraft were destroyed and all 18 occupants were killed. The exact circumstances and causes of the in-flight collision are unclear.
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