Nigeria: Pilot of crashed plane ignored warnings

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — A preliminary
investigation into a plane crash that killed at
least 13 people in Nigeria indicated Friday that
the crew were concerned about the aircraft
even before departure and that the captain
took off despite continuous automated voice
warnings and the first officer's suggestion they
abort the flight.
Associated Airline's Brazilian-made
Embraer-120 aircraft "impacted the ground in
a nose-down near 90-degree right bank" after
an apparent aerodynamic stall, said the report
from Nigeria's Accident Investigation Bureau.
Flight 361 burst into flames meters (yards)
from tanks at a fuel depot, minutes after
taking off Oct. 3 from Murtala Muhammed
Airport in Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital.
It was carrying 13 passengers and seven crew
members. Officials have given differing death
tolls between 13 and 16 and have not said if
the pilot and his first officer survived.
DNA tests are being carried out on the remains
of victims, indicating some were burned
beyond recognition.
"Crew decision-making and training with
respect to proceeding with the flight despite
concerns regarding the aircraft's suitability for
flight" is one area of investigation, Friday's
report said.
Investigators also are focusing on "mechanical
and electronic engine control issues" with the
right engine and right engine propeller systems
and aural warnings about the auto-feather and
flap settings required for take-off.
The report does not elaborate on what the
crew said before departure, saying the
investigation has yet "to determine the specific
nature of the crew's concerns."
It was compiled in part from the cockpit voice
recorder and flight data recorder.
The first warning came four seconds after
engine power was advanced to begin the take-
off roll. "Take-off Flaps" was the automated
warning suggesting the flaps were not in the
correct position for takeoff. But the crew did
not appear surprised and carried on even as
the warnings continued.
Then the first officer noted the aircraft was
moving slowly. Four seconds later another
automated warning cautioned "Take off flaps,
auto feather," indicating the propeller was not
producing any thrust.
The first officer asked if the take-off should be
aborted. The captain indicated they should
continue.
The first pilot did not make the customary
calls of the speed at which a decision is made
to abort or continue take-off.
Instead, "the first officer stated 'gently', which
we believe reflects concern, that the aircraft is
not performing normally and therefore needs
to be rotated very gently so as not to
aerodynamically stall the aircraft."
Ten seconds later, the stall warning sounded in
the cockpit.