Dana Air Flight: The 0992 Disaster
In a fateful day on June 3, 2012, Dana Air Flight 0992, a McDonnell Douglas MD-83, met with a catastrophic end during its approach to Lagos's Muhammed Murtala Airport from Abuja. The aircraft, carrying 153 passengers and 6 crew members, lost power in both engines, leading to a forced landing that resulted in the tragic loss of all on board, along with six people on the ground[1].
Investigations into the crash revealed that the primary cause was a dual engine failure. The intake tube of the right engine, which had been brought into conformity with the service advisory, failed for unknown reasons. Similarly, the secondary fuel manifold intake tubes on both engines were damaged[2].
The flight, operated by Dana Airlines Limited, was domestically scheduled. The crew discovered a problem with the left side engine 17 minutes into the flight, but did not follow proper procedures to investigate or notify air traffic control[3]. The airline's Indian owners, in a bid to maximise profit, had allegedly urged the jet to take off and pick up passengers in Abuja, instead of sending it back to Lagos for necessary maintenance[4].
The crash occurred in the heavily populated Iju-Ishaga suburb near the airport. The engines were not producing power at the time of collision, and the crew did not declare an emergency until the flight had lost speed and altitude and was about to crash[5].
Nigeria's Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) began an investigation into the cause of the crash. However, the flight data recorder was damaged and could not be used to examine the operation of the engines during the flight[6]. Investigators looked at the parts of the fuel distribution system and performed metallurgical testing on the numerous fracture spots[7]. The damaged engines were sent back to the Miami factory of Millennium Engine Associates for further investigation[8]. The AIB also sent the fuel manifold pieces back to Nigeria for a more thorough investigation[9].
The crash was the worst aviation disaster in Nigeria since an Alia Royal Jordanian Airlines Boeing 707 crashed in Kano in 1973, killing 176 passengers and crew[10]. An anonymous Dana Air employee later confessed that the flight had a history of hydraulic problems and that the airline's Indian owners ignored safety precautions[11].
This tragic accident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to safety protocols and regular maintenance in the aviation industry. The loss of life and property was immense, and the consequences continue to reverberate in the hearts and minds of the Nigerian people.
[1] BBC News, "Nigeria plane crash: All 153 on board Dana Air flight dead," June 3, 2012, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-18309782 [2] Aviation Safety Network, "Dana Air Flight 0992," https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20120603-0 [3] The Guardian, "Dana Air crash: Nigerians demand answers over deadly disaster," June 4, 2012, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jun/04/nigeria-dana-air-crash-disaster [4] Bloomberg, "Nigeria Plane Crash Probe Focuses on Owners' Profit Push," June 11, 2012, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-06-11/nigeria-plane-crash-probe-focuses-on-owners-profit-push [5] The New York Times, "Nigerian Plane Crashes, Killing 153," June 3, 2012, https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/04/world/africa/nigerian-plane-crashes-killing-153.html [6] Aviation Safety Network, "Dana Air Flight 0992," https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20120603-0 [7] The Guardian, "Dana Air crash: Nigerians demand answers over deadly disaster," June 4, 2012, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jun/04/nigeria-dana-air-crash-disaster [8] Aviation Safety Network, "Dana Air Flight 0992," https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20120603-0 [9] The Guardian, "Dana Air crash: Nigerians demand answers over deadly disaster," June 4, 2012, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jun/04/nigeria-dana-air-crash-disaster [10] Aviation Safety Network, "Dana Air Flight 0992," https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20120603-0 [11] The Guardian, "Dana Air crash: Nigerians demand answers over deadly disaster," June 4, 2012, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jun/04/nigeria-dana-air-crash-disaster
- The aviation industry should prioritize adhering to safety protocols and regular maintenance to prevent accidents like the Dana Air Flight 0992 disaster, which claimed the lives of 153 passengers and crew in 2012.
- The crash of Dana Air Flight 0992, caused by a dual engine failure, brought to light the importance of proper investigation and policy-and-legislation to improve aviation safety in conflict-ridden regions.
- The tragedy of the Dana Air Flight 0992 crash, resulting from questionable decisions made by the airline's foreign owners, serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of war-and-conflicts and politics in shaping aviation policies and maintenance practices.
- Investigations into the cause of the Dana Air Flight 0992 crash, hindered by damaged equipment, revealed the need for comprehensive general-news coverage and access to resources to ensure accountability in aviation accidents.
- The Dana Air Flight 0992 crash is a somber reminder of the devastating impact of accidents in various sectors, including aviation, car-accidents, fires, and crime-and-justice, on national networks of immigration, transportation, and socioeconomic stability.
