Dana Air MD-83 was a disaster in the
making. Unloaded by a U.S.-based company, Alaska Airlines, the plane had
seen numerous service failures since its manufacture in 1990
Problems with the MD-83 in
Alaska:
On November 4, 2002 the aircraft -
then owned by US-based Alaska Airlines - developed faults and had to make an
emergency diversion due to smoke in the cabin area..
On August 20, 2006, it was again evacuated after landing at the Long Beach, CA again due to smoke in the cabin area. During the post event airplane inspection, maintenance personnel found the wire bundle damaged in the mid-cargo pit ceiling at station 750 due to chafing and subsequent arcing of the Over Wing Heater Blanket system. They also found that wires in some bundles were damaged to the point of disconnection/separation, while other wire bundles sustained thermal melting to their outer insulation jacket.
On August 20, 2006, it was again evacuated after landing at the Long Beach, CA again due to smoke in the cabin area. During the post event airplane inspection, maintenance personnel found the wire bundle damaged in the mid-cargo pit ceiling at station 750 due to chafing and subsequent arcing of the Over Wing Heater Blanket system. They also found that wires in some bundles were damaged to the point of disconnection/separation, while other wire bundles sustained thermal melting to their outer insulation jacket.
Concerned about potential risks to
its air worthiness, Alaska Airlines parked the aircraft until Sept. 11 2008 to
carry out maintenance on the plane.
On February 2009 Alaska Airlines
shifted the burden to Nigeria when it sold the ill-fated plane.
Problems with the Dana MD-83 in
Nigeria:
On May 3 2012, a Lagos station
manager said the aircraft needed to be grounded for a check-up but that
alarm was ignored.
On May 11, 2012, the same Lag/Abj
aircraft had an air return and emergency landing at the MM2 airport.
Passengers disembarked
On May 25, 2012, the same plane
abandoned its La/Calabar flight, making another air return. Engine failure was
reported. No casualties
On June 3, while on a final approach
to the runway, the aircraft rammed into a power line, crashed into a
built-up area about 5-6 nautical miles from touch down. It burst into flames,
killing all 153 passengers on board and 30 on ground.
That's why Dana air management should be investigated and jailed. This plane has long been faulty but been managed until it couldn't stand the wear and tear and finally crashed. Dana acquired it in 2009 but I experienced a bitter taste of it in 2010. It was supposed to be a 1.30pm flight from Lagos to Abuja but we ended up boarding at 8pm. Reason: we were told the plane developed technical fault and was being fixed by Dana engineers. For 7 hours we waited at the airport for the plane to be fixed. Eventually, they said the fault has been fixed and we can board. Some people refused and said they will rather fly the next day being Monday but I had no choice as i had to be in the office the next day. But I joined others to ask a question: Are you guys sure this plane has been fixed? It's better the flight is cancelled than to put our lives on the line.
ReplyDeletePronto, we were assured that the fault has been fixed. We boarded the air craft and mid-way into the flight, there was a huge problem… the plane had lost its bearing. I was fast asleep after the long wait at the airport and didn’t realise what was happening. Shouts of “Blood of Jesus”, prayers in different tongues roused me from sleep and it dawned on me that the plane was not landing as I had thought but experiencing difficulties. I joined others in fervent prayers and eventually the pilot was able to regain control of the air plane. We watched with bated breath as the plane found “its feet”.
We eventually landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe international airport heaving a sigh of relief and praising God. Since then I stopped flying Dana air. This crash readily brought to my mind this incidence and I realised that Dana air has been repairing and fixing this 22 year old plane which ought to have been discarded with all the complaints that had trailed it. But Dana air valued profit more than human lives. It is not enough to withdraw their licence, they should be prosecuted and jailed.
It is very disheartening and lack of conscience, that the owner/ the management of Dana Air line have all these informations and still decided to bring in the casket to Bary Nigerian citizens alive. Should the owner not being properly prosecuted by the Government and their agents, I sure you, God will not forgive them neither will God forgive whoever is used to pervert justice. Information is again making it known that Chachangi flights is 30yrs of age. I,m wondering why such flights should be allowed to fly on our air space. Nigerians should take note and be warned.
ReplyDeleteThese agents of deaths still need to be encouraged to go for good and new flights, considering the fact that Nigeria, is the only oil producing country that does not have fleet of flights to convey their citizens to different destinations.No wonder why we pay so much for a 45 minutes distant flight. If Nigeria have leaved up to our expectations, there will be no way, for anybody to bring in casket in the name of flight into this country. 1. Nigeria as a country will not allow such flight. 2. Such flight will not have passengers to maintain the cost of flying the casket. They will be forced to buy good and new plane that guarantee the life and properties of Nigerians and other citizen of the world at large.I pray Nigerian Government will try to leave up to the expectations of its citizens, to avoid all these yearly blood sacrifice. Remember we are losing some of the genius we have in this country. Let us rise up and face our responsibilities and make this country a home for once. It is not impossible. With faith and determination we will do it. Throw away all the corrupt Government officials possibly put them in the jail for life, to warn the new coming portfolio holders.Tks.