WE WERE FORCED TO FLY THE FAULTY PLANE – DANA OFFICIALS via ChannelsTV

An official of Dana Airlines who does not want to be named has just confirmed to Channels Television that the ill-fated Dana Air flight 0992, MC Donnell Douglas (MD 83) was faulty even before it took off from Abuja. She also claimed the flight has very recent history of problems and it was not supposed to have flown. According to the official, “the plane has had problems that the airlines were aware and should not have flown but the owners inisted that the ill-fated flight must go ahead. “The same plane had issues in Uyo, Calabar and Abuja over the last few weeks and even experienced issues yesterday morning.” Officials of Dana Air were advised earlier that the plane shouldn’t fly due to some faults noticed in it, but the Indian owners insisted that the air craft should fly. Also, the Special Adviser, Technical to Minister of Aviation, Mr. Victor Oche Elias, has revealed that the pilot of the ill- fated plane, had alerted the aviation authority of the airport, on the emergency situation 11 nautical miles to landing. It was further disclosed that the pilot’s may-day cry was given priority, but the plane could not make it, as it crashed 4 nautical miles to landing. MC Donnell Douglas MD 83 was sold to Dana Airline in 2009 by a US-based Alaska Airlines ahead of the airline, commencing its services in Nigeria.