EAS Plane Crash Survivor: Pretty Naomi Ukpong Osaghae is our Aviator of the day

Meet our Aviator of the day: Pretty former Naomi Ukpong, now Mrs Naomi Osaghae. The only surviving Crew on the Eas Airline crash of May 4th 2002 in Kano.

On the 4th of May 2002, Naomi was rostered on standby duty. Same period she was preparing for her wedding which was coming up on the 25th of that month. As approved she was to proceed on leave the next day 5th May.

According to Naomi the Crew originally rostered for the flight failed her examination and because the Airline had prior knowledge of Ncaa Cabin Inspectors route check on that flight, instead of operating one crew down she was used as a replacement crew.

Presumably perceived as a normal routine on that fateful day, she was to operate to Jos-kano and return back to Lagos same day. But as they say: “You never know what fate has in store”.

Wikipedia had reported that the plane had arrived safely in Kano from Jos, and had just set off for Lagos when it plunged to the ground at about 14:35 local time (13:35UTC) on 4 May 2002. It crash-landed in a residential area of the city called Gwammaja. The plane, a BAC One-Eleven 525FT with 69 passengers and 8 crew members on board, burst into flames upon impact. The accident resulted in the deaths of 64 passengers and 7 crew in addition to at least 78 civilians on the ground. Sadly it came down in a densely populated area, ploughing through several buildings including two mosques before it came to a halt and burst into flames.

Prior to the fatal crash, the aircraft involved in the incident had been grounded on two previous occasions: once in 2001 for eleven days to perform engine maintenance, and again in 2002 for 52 days to address engine problems. THISDAY however gathered then that the crash, which happened three minutes after take-off, resulted from a failed engine that went beyond the control of the pilot, Peter Ineh and his co-pilot, whose name was given simply as Adegboye.

Following an investigation by the Nigerian Minister of Aviation, the cause of the crash was ruled to be pilot error. The findings of the investigation stated the engines failed following their intake of a large amount of dust. This occurred as a result of the pilot overshooting the runway and continuing the take-off through a grassy area at the end of the runway. Following the engine failure the plane rapidly descended into the neighbouring Gwammaja area of Kano ultimately destroying several structures on the ground.

Eye-witnesses further said they saw the plane swaying from side to side just after takeoff, and then it went into a nose dive.

Flight 4226 has the highest death toll of any aviation accident involving a BAC One-Eleven. The Sports Minister, Mr Ishaya Mark-Aku the wife of Lt-General Jeremiah Useni (rtd), Mrs. Julie Useni and their last son, Danjuma were amongst those killed in the crash. 

A passenger, Najib Ibrahim, 3 others and a crew member however survived the crash. The Crew Member was Naomi. But she sustained serious injury to her leg which left her immobile. Whilst at the orthopedic hospital in kano she was recommend for surgery abroad.

Getting the Airline’s management to foot the bill for the surgery was not an easy task. It took the then President of the Nigeria Cabin Crew Association Mr kunle Martins to prevail on the Captain Wada led management to finally succumb to the pressure to send Naomi to Germany for operation to enable her walk again.

She was flown to Germany in company of her then husband to-be. After the operation they remained in Germany. Whilst recuperating they got married and had 2 lovely boys. Years later they returned back to Nigeria. Today She is happily married with 3 kids.

I ran into Naomi some time ago and we got talking….during the interview Naomi revealed a lot about her life after the crash, her challenges, Lessons learnt and aspirations.

How have you been doing after the Crash?

“14years Down the line after the crash . Nothing has been the same but am grateful to be alive. Am not just living but am fulfilled. While in Germany after the operation, l was blessed with two kids and also blessed with another child in Nigeria. To have survived that fatal crash and still be alive today I will say am really happy, blessed and favoured in this Life.”

What Lessons have you learnt in this experience?

“One lesson is as a Crew never to do anyone’s flight.”

What challenges have you been facing?

‘l can’t walk and put on the type of shoes l love to wear otherwise l have no regret whatsoever.  Its not been easy.  14 years approximately 4th May 2002. During the surgery, a metal was inserted in my leg which was to be removed after 5yrs the Metal is still in my body. The medical letter with me was dated since 2003 when l was discharged from the hospital. I have the metal on my right leg from my hip down to my foot. The surgeon said the metal will be replaced after 5 years then pending the nature of the leg, after which it will be decided on what next to do. if l can grow it naturally or otherwise. The cost for removal and replacement is what has prevented me from going for replacement. No help from anywhere. I live on faith with a foreign body in me.’

What are your aspirations?

“I am a crew and if given another chance l will always be a crew. I wish to work. Am still young and agile but have not been opportuned l wish to work in aviation industry possibly NCAA. Am happy to say that I  can speak and write Deutsch language.”

I personally knew Naomi way back: A very pretty, bubbly and amiable Crew. She has a bright future ahead of her. A very hard working lady I must say. She is always cheerful and not bogged down by her situation.

Wondering how she survives? She is engaged in the buying and selling of products and is involved in network marketing. All she desires now is to have a bone replacement surgery and a good job in the aviation industry. Unfortunately Eas Airline is defunct. Should we sit back and watch Naomi suffer after surviving a fatal crash that took so many lives?