Posted by KENNY ASHAKA, Kaduna on
Dornier Aviation Nigeria AIEP (DANA), the maintenance Engineering company responsible for the annual checking of the Dornier 228-212 aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says that the crash of the plane was unfortunate and sad.
Dornier Aviation Nigeria AIEP (DANA), the maintenance Engineering company responsible for the annual checking of the Dornier 228-212 aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says that the crash of the plane was unfortunate and sad.
The aircraft crashed into the hills of Ushongo village in Benue State, about 18 nautical miles from its destination in Obudu, Cross Rivers state on Sunday evening, killing 18 top military officers, including Major Generals with command positions and four Colonels and the crew on board.
DANA's Public Relations Manager, Mallam Bashir Chedi, told newsmen in Kaduna Monday that the crash was the most fatal in the history of Dornier.
He spoke just as the flags at the Dalet Barracks headquarters of the One Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army flew at half mast following reports that the General Officer Commanding (GOC) the Division was involved in the crash.
Chedi said "this is an aircraft that has low accident rate compared to other aircraft because it gives room for mistakes. The Nigerian Air Force maintain its aircraft very well and has the best engineers in the industry.
"Most of the engineers have had manufacturers' training and if you go to the NAF Technical Training Ground, you will see that it compares favourably with a lot of our university engineering department in terms of equipment.
"But the whole thing is like a football match where even the best players can miss a penalty kick. The terrain may be another factor because the place where the plane crashed is a mountainous area."
When asked if DANA would not be scared dealing with the routine check up of NAF aircraft in view of the recent accident, Bashir drew analogue saying "it is like armed robbers. When you kill one of them, it will not stop them from going oput again".
However, at the Dalet Barracks residence of the GOC believed to be involved, everywhere, including his residence was quite with the soldiers on guard turning people back with the excuse that "madam has travelled".