An Allied Air Cargo aircraft with registration number 5N-JRT suffered a tyre burst causing it to skid the Runway 22 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Wednesday.
As a result, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria has temporarily shut down the runway following the incident.
The plane, arriving in Abuja, was involved in the incident upon landing while all passengers and crew members were safely evacuated.
The incident was said to have caused significant disruptions, with several departures delayed as authorities work to clear the affected runway.
Although, there were no injuries nor death records even as emergency officials immediately took over the site, the accident is the third near mishap in recent week.
National Infinity reports that a Max Airline flight on schedule from Maiduguri to Abuja conveying the Borno State Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur, and over 100 passengers escaped a tragic incident after the aircraft experienced an engine failure immediately after it took off from Maiduguri International Airport.
Days later, precisely on December 6, 2024, a serious incident involving a Fly Bird HS 125 aircraft with registration number 5NKAL.
The aircraft, operating a flight from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja (DNAA), to Kotoka International Airport, Accra (DGAA), experienced technical difficulties during its flight.
It was learnt that the aircraft lost its two engines in the course of the flight and decided to return to Abuja.
Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance of the NSIB confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday.
According to the Oladeji, preliminary information indicated that the aircraft, with four persons on board (three crew members and one passenger), was climbing through flight level 240 en route to flight level 280 when the crew reported an engine number 2 indication issue.
The aircraft was at a position approximately 25 nautical miles southwest of VOR station VONUK at 17:54 UTC when the crew requested a diversion back to Abuja due to the engine indication.
The request was promptly granted, and the aircraft was cleared to descend to flight level 190, the statement said.
According to the preliminary findings, during the descent, the aircraft experienced the loss of engine No.2 at flight level 230.
The crew elected to return to Abuja. On approaching Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, at approximately 5,000 feet, the crew declared Mayday, stating they had lost Engine No.1.
The crew managed to safely land the aircraft at Abuja Airport at 18:16 UTC.
A press statement signed on Wednesday, by FAAN Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, confirmed the incident.
Orah stated, “At 10:05 am on December 11, 2024, an Allied Air Cargo aircraft with registration number 5N-JRT skidded off Runway 22 at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja with five souls on board with no reported injury. They were all safely evacuated and taken to the FAN clinic for further checks.
“The Airport Emergency response team is on the scene along with accident investigators. The runway is being cleared and is expected to reopen for operations as soon as possible.”
FAAN however appreciated the aviation community and the general public for their understanding and patience.
