Post date: Jun 07, 2012 1:23:39 AM
The McDonnell Douglas MD-83, operated by privately owned domestic airline Dana Air, smashed into an apartment block in a densely populated suburb on Sunday afternoon, killing everyone on board and probably six people on the ground.
"From records of communication and radar tracking, the flight went smoothly until 3.42 pm when the captain called air traffic control at Murtala Mohammed Airport Lagos declaring mayday," Aviation Minister Stella Oduah told ministers.
Aviation minister says captain sent a distress signal before worst airline crash in 20 years.
ABUJA, NIGERIA (JUNE 6, 2012) (CHANNELS TV) - A plane that crashed in Lagos on Sunday (June 3) , killing all 153 people on board in Nigeria's worst airline disaster for two decades, reported dual engine failure just before going down, the aviation minister said on Wednesday (June 6).
The government has set up panels to review the safety of all airlines in the country and suspended Dana Air's air licence.
Dana Air has said there was nothing wrong with the aircraft.
Search teams found the "black box" voice and data recorder on Monday (June 4) and it has been sent abroad for decoding, the Accident Investigations Bureau said.
Nigeria's poor air safety record had been improving and Sunday's was the first big crash for six years.