Dana Air flight 9J-992: update

A couple of updates:

• The names of the 153 people (7 crew and 146 passengers) on board were released yesterday evening. About 80 bodies had been pulled out of the crash site by around 12.30 pm, today.
• At the moment, at least sixteen people are reported to have died on the ground, while some others are being treated for injuries.
• The captain was an American citizen, the first officer an Indian, and the engineer that released the aircraft was from Indonesia.
• Reportedly, the pilot declared emergency reporting the failure of both engines shortly before the crash, but nothing more is known about the reasons for the crash.
• Search and rescue teams found what they believed to be the plane’s black box flight recorder and handed it over to police.
• BBC’s latest video report. The suggestion that the crashed aircraft made an emergency landing last month is wrong – that was a different aircraft (5N-SRI).
• AP’s images of today and yesterday.
• Although questions have been raised in the past over Dana Air’s maintenance policy, it’s to early to jump to conclusions on the causes of the crash. In general, the airline was regarded as one of the more reliable airlines in Nigeria.
• The authorities need to prove their sincerity by enabling a thorough investigation by the Nigerian Accident Investigation Bureau, without the interference of third parties as happened in the case of the 2006 ADC crash (of which the final report is yet to be released).
• Dana Air has set up a call centre to respond to enquiries on the crash: 01-2809888 and 07003593262. See also the NCAA website with information.
• Dana Air has suspended all its operations:

The Dana Air family is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of the passengers and crew of Flight 9J-992 of Sunday, June 3, 2012. The aircraft, with Registration Number 5N-RAM, departed Abuja for Lagos with 146 passengers onboard. 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 center at MMA2 to look after their needs and keep them as quickly informed as possible.
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

• The aircraft was ‘in perfect condition‘ according to a Dana Air spokesman, denying the accusation that it had developed a technical problem at Calabar while operating an early Sunday morning flight.

Rescue workers at the crash site on Monday

Dana Air MD83 crashes near Lagos Airport

Reports are coming in about an incident involving a Dana Air aircraft carrying 153 people near Lagos Airport (Agege).

Summary:

A Dana Air McDonnell Douglas MD-83, registration 5N-RAM, performing flight 9J-992 from Abuja to Lagos with 153 people on board, was on approach to Lagos when the crew reported engine problems. On final approach to runway 18L at about 15:00 local time the aircraft collided with a power line, crashed into a built up area about 5-6nm from touch down and burst into flames. A number of residential houses around the crash site are on flames, too, a large smoke plume is visible above the city. All occupants of the aircraft perished in the crash, there is no information yet about victims on the ground.

Updates:

• Not looking good. First picture…
• Crash happened in a residential area. Several buildings are on fire.
• The crash site seems to be near Ayinla Bus Stop, north of the airport, Iju Ishaga road, Agege.
• This picture seems to confirm that it is a Dana Air MD83.
• 153 people said to be onboard.
• Dana Air just received its fifth MD-83 aircraft this week.
• Dana Air’s fleet details. Four aircraft are ex-Alaska and one ex-Avianca aircraft, all around twenty years old.
• Harold Demuren of NCAA confirms the crash of a Dana Air aircraft. Nigeria Federal Emergency Management Agency is en route to crash site
• Dana Air from Lagos Airport to Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo and Calabar: www.flydanaair.com. The airline was formed in 2008 by the Indian-owned Dana Group.
• 153 onboard according to the NCAA. No survivors.
• The last accident involving a commercial aircraft in Nigeria was the ADC B737-200, which crashed at Abuja Airport on 29 October 2006.
• Shocking images.
• Confirmed: 147 passengers and 6 crew members.
• The aircraft involved was registered 5N-RAM, a former Alaska Airlines plane built in 1990.
• Dana Air is working with NCAA and FAAN to release the manifest – names of passengers – of the crashed aircraft.
• The Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, is on her way to the crash site.
• CVR recovered according to this report.
• President Goodluck Jonathan has declared a three-day period of national mourning.
• There is still confusion over the flight involved: either flight 9J-992 from Abuja on approach to Lagos (as stated by the Ministry of Aviation) or flight 9J-1993/9J-997 from Lagos to Abuja that attempted a return after take-off.
• BBC uploaded a video of the aftermath of the crash. The speculation about the same aircraft being involved in an incident last month is unfounded.
• There were no survivors in the crash according to Mohammed Sani Sidi, director of Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency. Authorities have not released any information on casualties on the ground.
• It’s now confirmed that the aircraft was en route from Abuja to Lagos, flight number 9J-992.
• Boeing’s statement on today’s accident.
• Sixteen residents are reported to have died on the ground.
• The Ministry of Aviation has published phone numbers to which those involved can call for information.

Scene at the crash site

Dana Air – MD83 – 5N-RAM (copyright Ken Iwelumo)

Dana Air accepts new MD-83

Dana Air’s fifth MD-83 (5N-DEV) was ferried from Miami to Lagos this week. Unlike the rest of the fleet, the aircraft doesn’t have the airline’s slogan ‘The smartest way to fly’ painted on it.

Cloud9: Dana Air’s in-flight magazine

The fourth issue of Dana Air’s in-flight magazine Cloud9 can now be read online.

This week’s update

Short updates:

• An interesting analysis of the aviation markets in Nigeria and Ghana. This is also a good commentary on the state of Nigerian aviation.
• The Nigerian Senate has ordered Lufthansa to pay N2.19 billion, being the amount of royalty accrued to the Federal Government from its flight operations from 2009 to October 2011.
• The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has called for an investigation by the EFCC into FAAN’s financial management.
• The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)  may request assistance from the EFCC to recover about N22 billion in debts, owed by past and present domestic airlines.
• Harold Demuren has been reappointed as Director General of the NCAA.
• There were bomb scares at Lagos and Abuja Airports this week.
• Lagos State Government has commenced work on the development on the Lekki-Epe International Airport.
• Bayelsa State inaugurated an Airport Development Committee to speed up the construction of an airport in the state.
• The governor of Taraba State, Danbaba Suntai, allegedly acquired a helicopter for himself. The governor already owns two light aircraft and plans to a construct an airstrip near his home village. Meanwhile, the Taraba State Government will soon launch a commercial airline, Air Taraba will have Jalingo Airport as its home base.
• SkyBird Air – a Dornier 328Jet operator – is still awaiting its AOC to commence operations. The airline is apparently owned by a former governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, of Borno State.
• A Dana Air aircraft (5N-SRI) coming from Uyo made an emergency landing at Lagos Airport on 10 May 2012,  following ‘loss of hydraulic pressure’.
• The Air Expo organised by the Nigerian Air Force to mark its 48th anniversary will start next week, 15 May 2012, at Kaduna Air Force Base.
• The Nigerian Navy plans to establish a Naval Aviation Training School in Ilorin Airport, Kwara State.

Dana Air to receive a fifth MD83

Dana Air will shortly take delivery of a fifth MD-83 aircraft (5N-DEV; ex-N934JM). The airline currently serves Abuja, Calabar, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Uyo.

The airline operates a Learjet 45 for charter operations. It seems that the airline will no longer accept the business jets it ordered from Embraer and Bombardier in 2007.

Update: the fifth MD83 aircraft (5N-DEV) arrived at Lagos on 29 May.

Dana Air Resumes Flights To Port Harcourt

Dana Air announced it will resume flights from Lagos (twice daily) and Abuja (daily) to Port Harcourt per 28 March 2011.

• 9J347 LOS-PHC 07:20-08:39
• 9J346 PHC-LOS 09:18-10:35
• 9J345 LOS-PHC 16:20-17:37
• 9J344 PHC-LOS 18:00-19:20
• 9J1996 ABV-PHC 15:15-16:20
• 9J1997 PHC-ABV 16:55-17:55

NIGAV 2011 Awards

The Nigerian Aviation (NIGAV) Awards were handed out this weekend:

• Airline of the Year 2010: Air Nigeria
• Airline CEO of the Year 2010: Jacky Hathiramani of Dana Air
• Most Customer Friendly Airline of the Year 2010: IRS Airlines

Dana Air Commences Online Check-In

Dana Air now offers the possibility of online check-in. With the introduction of this service, passengers can reduce waiting time at airport. The airline serves Abuja, Kano, Lagos and Uyo.

FAAN Grounds Several Airlines

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) temporarily suspended some operations of Aero, Dana Air, Chanchangi Airlines and IRS Airlines yesterday over their inability to pay up their debts to the authority. Explaining that airline operators in Nigeria are not responding positively in paying up their dues, the agency said that it will not hesitate to shut down the operations of persistent defaulters in the sector, adding that the grounding of airlines negatively impact on the travelling public.

Dana Air Suspends Flights to Port Harcourt

Dana Air appears to have suspended its daily service from Lagos to Port Harcourt as flights are no longer bookable.

The airline announced that it will offer special in-flight service to Muslim guests on all its domestic routes from August 11 to September 11, in acknowledgment of the Ramadan. It consists of special meal packages so that travellers who observe the daytime fasting can take their in-flight meals with them.

Bird Strike For Dana Air MD83

A Dana Air MD-83 made an emergency landing today after a bird strike at Lagos Airport. The aircraft en route to Abuja lost one engine and returned to Lagos Airport, where it landed safely.

According to its schedules, Dana Air will reduce its daily frequencies on the Lagos-Abuja route from six to five and on the Lagos-Port Harcourt route from two to one from next month onwards.

On 17 April, 2010, a Challenger 600 coming from Makurdi Airport declared an emergency at Abuja Airport. The aircraft belonging to charter company called Prime Air experienced problems with its landing gear but landed safely after all.

Dana Air Opens Lagos-Uyo And Abuja-Uyo Routes

Dana Air has announced that it will commence scheduled operations to Akwa Ibom Airport, Uyo, as from Monday, January 18, 2010. The airline will offer services from Uyo to Lagos and Abuja:

• Lagos-Uyo: 9J1999 – 10:35-11:50
• Uyo-Lagos: 9J1998 – 15:30-16:50
• Uyo-Abuja: 9J341 – 12:15-13:25
• Abuja-Uyo: 9J340 – 13:50-15:05

Dana Air suspended its flights to Enugu and reduced the frequency from its daily flights between Lagos and Abuja from six to five, in order to open this new route. The airline has only four MD-83s (ex-Alaska Airlines).

It seems that Arik Air will not return to Akwa Ibom Airport soon, after a row about payments to be made by the state governent.

Dana Air Twice Daily To Port Harcourt

Dana Air doubled its daily flights on the Lagos-Port Harcourt route:

• LOS-PHC 09:27-10:35
• PHC-LOS 12:15-13:15
• LOS-PHC 15:03-16:20 (except on Fridays)
• PHC-LOS 17:10-18:25 (except on Fridays)

The airline reports a 74% load factor on the busy Lagos-Abuja route. Dana Air operates six return flights daily on this route.

Enugu Airport To Be Closed For Renovation

Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu, will be closed for traffic in the coming weeks. The airport will be revamped prior its upgrade to the status of international airport.

Currently Aero Contractors, Arik Air, and Dana Air are operating flights from Lagos and Abuja to Enugu. Flights will be diverted to Imo Airport, Owerri, and helicopter services to Enugu will be put in place.

Akanu Ibiam Airport Enugu (Copyright PilotRose)

Hopefully, the project will be completed before or commenced after christmas period.

Dana Air First Anniversary

Dana Air has its first anniversary today. The airline gradually expanded its operations in the past year to five destinations and carrying 252.000 passengers in the first 11 months of operation.

The airline is operating Lagos-Abuja (6 return flights daily), Lagos-Enugu (1 flight daily), Lagos Kano (1 flight daily), Lagos-Port Harcourt (1 flight daily), and Abuja-Kano (1 flight daily).

Punctuality and service are reportedly good. Dana Air as well as Aero are the best choice in Nigeria for travellers who can book cheap tickets online in advance.

Dana Air operates 4 MD-83s (ex-Alaska Airlines). They need more aircraft to continue their expansion in Nigeria.

The airline also announced charter services, but the LearJet 45XR (5N-DAL) has been parked at Lagos since its delivery a few months ago.

Nigerian Airlines On Twitter

Four Nigerian airlines have a twitter account. Nice way of keeping customers informed. At least, if they would twitter regularly.

• Aero Contractors
• Arik Air
• Bellview Airlines
• Chanchangi Airlines
• Dana Air

Not a Nigerian airline, but also of interest is the LufthansaNG.

Arik Air Update

Arik Air took delivery of a B737-800 (5N-MJP) and a Dash 8-Q400 (5N-BKV).

Arik’s website is a mess right now. Timetable not working properly, typos, flight schedules are not updated, unable to book flights to several destinations, etc. Overall the website is not updated and maintained regularly either by the webmaster of by TT Interactive. A messy websites doesn’t suit a world class airline. Still, their website is still considerably better than Flynigerian.com, Flyaero.com or Flydanaair.com.

Arik Air’s twitter account hasn’t be updated for over a week.

At a certain point Arik advertised their Lagos-JFK flights on their homepage, starting on 29 November with a ticket price of N209.000. Will this deadline be met by the airline? There a no signs of the delivery of the third A345 (CS-TQL), although cabin crew recruitment is going on.

Arik Air also announced a new Abuja-LHR service.