Sequence of Events
On 25 October 2012 at 17:48, a Cessna Caravan 208B, registration 5N-BMJ, departed Jalingo for Yola on a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight plan with four persons on board (one crew and three passengers). At 18:00, the Airport Manager stationed at Jalingo by Taraba State Government called Yola Control Tower (CT) to advise that the aircraft had departed Jalingo for Yola. At 18:25, the pilot reported field in sight. CT advised him to "continue approach and report final, wind calm," and the pilot acknowledged. At 18:27, CT had the aircraft in sight and again advised the pilot to report final, wind calm; the pilot acknowledged. At 18:30, CT lost visual contact with 5N-BMJ and attempted to raise the aircraft on radio but received no response. At 18:37, information was received from witnesses regarding a possible plane crash at the Yola-Numan road close to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) depot. This information was passed to the fire watch room. Rescue teams and security personnel were mobilized to the crash location. However, before the arrival of the rescue team from the airport, local residents had already rescued the occupants from the wreckage. The occupants were subsequently taken to Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yola for medical treatment. The accident occurred at dusk. The aircraft was destroyed.
Investigation Findings
The investigation identified several factors but could not conclusively determine the cause of the accident. The factors included that the pilot was not certified, qualified, and not competent to fly the aircraft; the decision of the pilot to operate a VFR flight after sunset; and inadequate oversight by the Regulatory Authority.
Probable Cause
The Bureau could not conclusively determine the cause of this accident; however, the investigation identified the following factors: - The pilot was not certified, qualified and not competent to fly the aircraft. - The decision of the pilot to operate a VFR flight after sunset. - Inadequate oversight by the Regulatory Authority.