Aviation Authorities Warn Against Destruction of Black Box Data, Substance Use Among Personnel

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority have raised fresh concerns over the distortion and loss of critical evidence following aviation incidents, warning that such practices undermine safety and hinder efforts to prevent future crashes.

Speaking on Wednesday in Lagos at an Aviation Stakeholder Engagement Workshop, the Director-General of NSIB, Alex Badeh Jr, decried the persistent overwriting of vital flight data by some airlines and pilots. He noted that the loss of crucial recordings from Cockpit Voice Recorders and Flight Data Recorders commonly known as black boxes continues to weaken accident investigations.

“We have all seen, in past incidents, how the untimely overwriting of these invaluable ‘black boxes’ can limit our ability to uncover root causes, learn the right lessons, and prevent recurrence,” Badeh said.

He emphasized that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig-CARs) 2022 require operators to preserve flight data immediately after any accident or serious incident. Strict adherence, he added, would strengthen investigations and build public trust in the aviation system.

Beyond data preservation, Badeh raised alarm over substance use among aviation personnel, describing it as a growing safety risk. He reiterated that crew members are prohibited from operating aircraft under the influence of alcohol or psychoactive substances, warning that even minimal impairment could have grave consequences.

The Director-General of Civil Aviation, Chris Najomo, described the overwriting of CVR and FDR data as unprofessional and unacceptable. Represented by the NCAA’s General Manager of Air Operator Certification and Surveillance, Ifeanyi Iteke, Najomo warned that strict sanctions await any operator or individual found culpable.

“Evidence-based investigations remain the only reliable way to prevent recurrence of similar incidents,” Najomo said.

A former Managing Director of the United States National Transportation Safety Board, Dennis Jones, also stressed the importance of preserving accident scenes, noting that proper handling of evidence is critical to improving global aviation safety standards and is a moral obligation to victims and their families.