History is the memory of the human race. As Will and Ariel Durant remind us, the historian preserves that memory.
To learn precisely and accurately from the past is to give new generations the context that shapes our present.
In that spirit, WITHIN NIGERIA highlights one notable event from June 3 in our nation’s history, continuing our commitment to education and enlightenment.
159 Feared Dead as Dana Air Jet Crashes Into Lagos Suburb
Dana Air Flight 992, a McDonnell Douglas MD-83, crashed into the Iju-Ishaga district of Lagos on June 3, 2012, killing all 153 people on board and at least six residents on the ground.
WITHIN NIGERIA learned that the Abuja-to-Lagos flight departed Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 2:58 p.m. with 147 passengers and six crew members.
At 3:42 p.m., minutes from landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the cockpit issued a mayday: “Dual engine failure… negative response from throttle.”
Witnesses described a low-flying aircraft, trailing no smoke, plowing into a two-storey residential building and an adjoining printing press at 3:45 p.m.
“The ground shook like an earthquake,” said Adebayo Ojo, a mechanic working nearby. “Then fire everywhere. We couldn’t get close.”
The National Emergency Management Agency confirmed there were no survivors from the flight.
Preliminary findings by the Accident Investigation Bureau showed the ordeal began 17 minutes after takeoff when the left engine failed. The crew continued toward Lagos without declaring an emergency. On approach, the second engine lost power.
Cockpit recordings captured the final exchange:
First Officer: “Both engines coming up?”
Captain: “Negative.”
Seconds later, Captain Peter Waxtan, an American, told his co-pilot: “We just lost everything… I lost both engines.”
President Goodluck Jonathan declared three days of national mourning, calling it “a sad and unfortunate day.” Flags flew at half-mast as families crowded Lagos State University Teaching Hospital seeking news of loved ones.
Among the dead were prominent Nigerians including NNPC spokesman Levi Ajuonuma, four Chinese nationals, and several foreign executives.
The AIB’s interim report pointed to a fuel supply problem. Investigators later concluded that faulty maintenance by a U.S. contractor had severed fuel lines to both engines. The 22-year-old aircraft had undergone checks on June 1 and completed eight flights since.
Aviation Minister Stella Oduah grounded Dana Air’s operating license and ordered an audit of all domestic airlines.
“This is the fifth major crash in 10 years,” said aviation analyst Capt. John Ojikutu. “We cannot continue to bury our citizens.”
