The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) says it has has commenced investigation what it describes as a serious incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Sunday morning.
The serious incident involved a Boeing 737 with Nationality and Registration Marks 5N-BYQ belonging to Aerocontractors Airlines, which occurred around 10:47am (Local Time) on 12th November, 2023.
Dr. James Odaudu, NSIB Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, recalled that the aircraft upon landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja from Lagos and in a bid to exit the runway via A4 had its nose wheel stuck in the grass verge with its fuselage on the runway.
“Consequently, the runway was closed pending the towing of the aircraft from the runway.There was no injury or fatality.
“The NSIB, hereby, solicits information from the general public in form of pictures, video or recording evidences to assist in conducting a comprehensive investigation.
“The Bureau can be reached through info@aib.gov.ng and NSIB_Nigeria on its social media platforms. The Bureau can also be reached on its emergency line +234-807-709-0909.
“The NSIB will appreciate that the general public and press respect the privacy of the people on board and NOT assume the cause of the serious incident until formal report is released.
“The NSIB is a multimodal investigation agency charged with the mandate to investigate transportation accidents and serious incidents in Nigeria with the aim of identifying the probable causes and proffer safety recommendations that can prevent reoccurrence,” he added.
A preliminary report on the investigation is expected as soon as possible, he said.
Sunday’s incident makes it the third in a series of air crash scares in a matter of two weeks. A flight from Owerri Airport hurriedly returned to the airport two Saturdays ago after the pilot observed issues in the cockpit console. The flight took off for Abuja after it was rectified, a passenger said.
An incident involving a Flint Aero aircraft with Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, about 10 passengers and three crew members on board, occured in Ibadan Airport at night, about 12 days ago.