Investigation into 2012 Nigeria plane crash faults pilots
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The pilots of a Nigerian airliner failed to follow emergency procedures and didn't land after one of the plane's two engines lost power only minutes into the flight, according to a government investigation into the June 2012 crash that killed 153 on board and others on the ground.
"If the crew had maintained high altitude as suggested by the co-pilot, they would have had height advantage over Lagos for better speed and maneuvering to enhance their chances of survival during the emergency landing," the report said.
The airline did not answer questions on allegations it had lax safety standards ahead of the crash.
The crash was the worst airline disaster in Nigeria since Sept. 27, 1992, when a military transport plane crashed into a swamp shortly after takeoff from Lagos and killed all 163 people on board.
The worst air disaster in Nigeria happened in 1973, when a Jordanian Boeing 707 crashed at Kano's international airport and killed 176 people.