NSIB Condemns Alteration of Aircraft Data Recorders by Airlines
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has issued a strong condemnation against the practice of overwriting critical flight data following aircraft incidents by certain airlines and pilots. The bureau has warned that such actions severely undermine accident investigations and compromise overall aviation safety in Nigeria.
Preservation of Evidence and Substance Use Concerns
During an Aviation Stakeholder Engagement Workshop held in Lagos, the Director General of NSIB, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr., emphasized the vital importance of preserving evidence from Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVRs) and Flight Data Recorders (FDRs), commonly known as black boxes. These devices are essential for determining the root causes of air accidents and incidents, providing an objective record of in-flight events.
Badeh expressed regret that some airline operators and pilots have been overwriting these devices, which could otherwise be used to enhance accident and incident investigations. He insisted that premature overwriting has, in past occurrences, limited investigators' ability to uncover crucial evidence needed to prevent future mishaps.
Regulatory Framework and Enforcement
Citing provisions of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig-CARs) 2022, Badeh noted that flight recorders must be deactivated immediately after any accident or serious incident to preserve essential data. He stated, "Let us speak about the preservation of critical evidence — particularly Cockpit Voice Recorders and Flight Data Recorders. These devices are the objective record of events in flight. We have all seen, in past incidents, how the untimely overwriting of these invaluable 'black boxes' can limit our ability to uncover root causes, learn the right lessons, and prevent recurrence."
Additionally, Badeh reiterated that regulations from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) prohibit any crew member from operating an aircraft under the influence of alcohol or psychoactive substances. He highlighted the "bottle-to-throttle" rule, which bars pilots and crew from consuming alcohol within eight hours before a flight, stressing that any form of impairment could adversely affect judgment, reaction time, and overall performance. The pilot-in-command bears responsibility for ensuring all crew members are fit for duty before any flight operation.
Industry Responses and Collaborative Efforts
The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Chris Najomo, described the overwriting of CVR and FDR devices as unprofessional conduct by operators and pilots. Represented by the General Manager of Air Operator Certification and Surveillance at NCAA, Ifeanyi Iteke, Najomo warned that any organization or individual found violating these rules would face severe punishment according to industry regulations to serve as a deterrent.
Former Managing Director of the United States' National Transport Safety Board (NTSB), Dennis Jones, also spoke at the workshop, emphasizing the necessity of preserving accident scenes as a preventative measure against future occurrences. The workshop aimed to address emerging safety concerns in the aviation sector, particularly evidence preservation and substance abuse, while enhancing stronger collaboration among industry stakeholders.
Badeh expressed hope that the engagement would lead to improved safety protocols and a more robust aviation environment in Nigeria, ensuring that lessons from past incidents are effectively learned and applied to prevent future accidents.
