SYNOPSIS
The Bureau was notified of the occurrence by the operator through a phone call on the 11th of August, 2014 at 2140hrs. Investigators were dispatched the following day, arriving the scene at 1800hrs and commenced investigation. All relevant stakeholders were notified accordingly.
On 11th August, 2014, at 1817hrs, 5N-BGZ, a Piper Aztec 23-250 aircraft operated by Westlink Airlines Ltd, on a Special (Training) Category, departed Birnin Kebbi airstrip for a low level VFR pest control excercise in Matseri Village, Bunza Local Government Area.
The aircraft climbed to 1000ft Above Ground Level (AGL), no reported adverse weather, clear skies with relative calm wind. On board the aircraft wasthe Pilot and an Observer. Ten minutes after take-off, 5N-BGZ arrived target field and made some passes overhead the field to check for low level obstacles before commencing spray. A first spray pass over the target field was made.
On the second and final pass of the day, the Pilot and the Observer suddenly noticed an electric power distribution line which was almost at the same height/level with their flight path. The Pilot slammed in power on the throttle and the Observer instinctively followed through on control, the aircraft was pitched nose up in an attempt to clear the obstacle, but the tail plane of the aircraft collided with the electric power cables. Consequently, the aircraft impacted the ground some distance away from the power line. The power line was not detected during the passes to check for low level obstacles. The two occupants disembarked unhurt but the aircraft was destroyed.
The accident occurred at coordinates 12.1172N, 4.0910E and elevation 865ft in daylight.
If the download is not working, Right click on the dowload icon and choose 'Save Link/Target as'.