Dana Plane Faulty Before Flight: Station Manager of Dana Airline in Abuja
Information filtering in has it that the ill-fated aircraft of the Dana Airline in which 153 persons died on Sunday had been undergoing repairs for several weeks and was not certified fit for flying before the flight.
So also has information come in that the General Manager, Group Public Affiars of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Livi Ajuonoma, was on the flight.
Sources said that the Station Manager of Dana Airline in Abuja protested the use of the aircraft for the flight.
However, the Indian management of the airline was said to have insisted that the aircraft must undergo the journey.
The Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, who was at the scene of the accident, has promised a full scale investigation into the crash.
Meanwhile, NNPC has confirmed that Ajuonoma was on the Dana Airline flight.
The image maker, who rose to stardom through journalism, was a programme presenter on the Nigeria Television Authority before he took up the appointment with NNPC.
Also on board was the son of former military Vice President Augustus Aikhomu, Ehime.
Stephen Dieseruvwe Blog 
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has declared three days of national mourning after a plane carrying 153 people crashed in the economic capital Lagos, killing all those on board.
“A three-day period of national mourning for all those who lost their lives in the Dana plane crash in Lagos today [will be held],” according to a statement from his office.
“President Jonathan, who has cancelled all his public engagements scheduled for tomorrow, has also directed that the Nigerian flag be flown at half-mast for the three days of national mourning,” the statement added.
“Meanwhile, the president has ordered the fullest possible investigation into the crash.”
The plane plunged into a residential area of Nigeria’s largest city on Sunday (local time), killing all passengers, rescue workers said.
A number of the bodies being taken away had been people killed on the ground rather than passengers, according to one rescue worker.
An official with the National Emergency Management Agency said the plane had hit two buildings: a church and the two-storey residential structure.
“The plane is still burning as I speak with you, and there is smoke all over the place,” he said.
Thick smoke rose from the area near Lagos airport and flames could be seen coming from a two-storey building. Residents said the plane had been coming in low, making a loud noise, when it slammed into the residential area.
Some residents said it appeared that the plane nose-dived into the neighbourhood.
The cause of the crash was not immediately clear, though an official from Nigeria’s rescue agency and an aviation official said the cockpit recorder had been located and handed over to police.
Wreckage including a detached wing could be seen in the neighbourhood as the inferno burned. Residents reported seeing bodies being taken out of the area as rescue workers rushed in and a helicopter landed.
“The plane is still burning and gas coming out pervades the whole place, making search and rescue efforts difficult,” Tunji Oketunbi, a spokesman for Nigeria’s accident investigation bureau, said from the scene.
Hundreds of residents swarmed the area to see what had happened.
“It was a Dana (airline) flight out of (the capital) Abuja to Lagos with about 153 people on board,” Nigeria’s head of civil aviation Harold Demuren said.
Asked if anyone likely survived the crash he said, “I don’t believe there are any survivors.”
Lagos State police spokesman Joseph Jaiyeoba said the plane went down in the Iju neighbourhood on the mainland of the city where the bulk of the city’s population lives.
Hundreds of residents swarmed the area to see what had happened.
“It was flying low with a lot of noise for about five minutes before it crashed into the residential area,” one resident said. “It then burst into flames.”
Another resident, Tunji Dawodu, said “I was just coming out of church around 3:30pm when I heard a loud noise.”
“I thought it was an explosion,” he said. “Then there was a huge flame from the building where the plane has crashed into.”
A spokesman for Nigerian airline Dana confirmed one of its planes was involved in the crash but could not immediately provide further details.
“I can confirm that one of our planes crashed today on the outskirts of Lagos,” Tony Usidamen said.
“We lost communication with the aircraft. We are going to issue an official statement.”
Nigeria has a spotty aviation record, though Dana has been considered to be a relatively safe domestic airline.
It began flights in November 2008 and had been operating up to 27 daily flights using a fleet of MD-83 aircraft, according to information on its website.
Its aircraft make daily flights between Abuja, Calabar, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Uyo.
This latest incident came after another plane crash on Saturday night in the capital of the nearby West African nation of Ghana, which saw a cargo plane overshoot a runway and hit a passenger bus, killing at least 10 people.
The Allied Air cargo plane had departed from Lagos and was to land in Accra.
Lagos, the largest city in Africa’s most populous nation, is home to an estimated 15 million people. Built around a lagoon on the Atlantic coast, it is thought to be the largest city in Africa.
The management of Dana Airlines has issued a statement commiserating with the families of the 153 victims of the tragic crash of Flight No. 9J-922 at Ishaga located in the outskirts of Lagos metropolis on Sunday.
None of the 146 passengers, along with a Flight Engineer, two pilots and four cabin crew members on board the flight survived, in what most Nigerians have described as a Black Sunday for the country’s aviation industry.
President Goodluck Jonathan has already declared a three-day national mourning commencing today for the repose of the souls 153 victims, during which period the Nigerian flag would be flown at half-mast in all public buildings and institutions.
The airline in a sympathy message by its Chief Executive Officer, Jacky Hathiramani, expressed sadness over the tragedy, saying it is doing everything to assist the families of the victims bear their losses.
According to airline, a 24-hour Call Centre service has been initiated, while an information centre is to be set up at the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 to look after their needs and keep them informed as quickly as possible.
It gave the contact numbers as 01-2809888 and 07003593262.
Meanwhile, the airline has cancelled all flights scheduled for Monday. It urges passengers to call 0700 359 3262 to re-schedule or get details for refund.
READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW
The Dana Air family is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of the passengers and crew of Flight 9J-922 of Sunday, June 3, 2012. The aircraft, with Registration Number 5N-RAM, departed Abuja for Lagos with 146 passengers on board. 1 Dana Air Flight Engineer, 2 Pilots and 4 Cabin Crew were also aboard the flight.
We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the deceased, and we are doing everything we can to assist them in this extremely difficult time. A 24hr Call Centre service has been initiated and we have also set up an information centre at MMA2 to look after their needs and keep them as quickly informed as possible.
Contact Numbers: 01-2809888 and 07003593262.
An investigation into the cause of the accident got under way immediately, under the guidance of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), who are being assisted by investigators from the U.S. National Safety Transportation Board (NTSB). Dana Air is cooperating fully and assisting the investigation in every possible way.
In accordance with international protocol governing aviation accident investigations, all information about the investigation will come from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. Dana Air will however provide information relating to the flight itself and updates on steps being taken.
Once again, we at Dana Air extend our profoundest condolences.
Jacky Hathiramani,
Chief Executive Officer
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