Ill-Fated Plane Had Engine Replaced – Dana Air Staff

A senior manager with Dana Airline,  Mr Tony Usidamen, yesterday admitted that the ill-fated aircraft had engine failure two years ago, but was quick to add that the engine was replaced.

This came as the Coroner Judge, Mr. Alexander  Komolafe, said the Aviation Minister should appear before it to speak on the plane crash.

Usidamen, who also is the Head of Corporate Communication of Dana Air, was the first official of the airline to give evidence before the coroner inquest. He told the court that the ill-fated plane,  had an engine failure two years before the crash.

According to him,  the management of the airline discovered on April 19, 2010, that the engine of the plane was bad, but returned to safety, which made them to “change the engine in the interest of their passengers.”

While being cross-examined on whether he was aware that the same airline had hydraulic leakages on May 23, 2012, the witness said he was not aware that the aircraft, MD 83 with registration number 9J 992 5N RAM, had such problem.

Questioned by a counsel from the state Ministry of Justice, Mr Akintunde Bakare, of the name of the engineer who certified the air worthiness of the air craft, he said he could not give the name of the engineer who certified the aircraft on June 3, 2012.

At this juncture, the Coroner Judge, threatened to sanction the witness if he did not  furnish the court with the names of the engineers.

In his response, he only mentioned that  the engineer who certified the airline on 3rd June 2012 and several other engineers are still working with Dana, adding that the ill-fated airline was in good and perfect working condition when it flew.