The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded a Rano Air aircraft with registration number 5N-BZY following a mid-flight engine malfunction during a trip from Abuja to Katsina.
According to Daily Trust, sources within the aviation sector disclosed that the aircraft experienced a malfunction in its engine 1 while airborne, prompting the flight crew to swiftly deploy emergency procedures.
The incident led to a disruption in Rano Air’s operations. Travellers scheduled to fly from Sokoto to other destinations were left stranded as the Sokoto leg of the trip was cancelled.
“The oxygen masks were automatically activated, and the pilots followed all emergency protocols. Thankfully, the smoke cleared before landing, and the aircraft touched down safely without further incident,” an aviation official had told newsmen.
Naijaonpoint understands that a rescue aircraft was promptly deployed to convey the Abuja-Katsina passengers, but the operational hiccup affected subsequent flight schedules.
Aircraft Grounded for Investigation
A preliminary report issued by the NCAA revealed that its Directorate of Airworthiness directed the grounding of the affected aircraft pending a full investigation.
“Engineers are currently examining the aircraft on the ground to determine the root cause of the engine issue and smoke,” the report stated.
Reaffirming its commitment to safety, the NCAA said it would never compromise on established aviation protocols, even if doing so causes temporary inconvenience to flight operations.
“Nigeria’s aviation safety record remains solid despite the peculiar challenges of operating in a developing environment,” the Authority said.
It stressed that, in contrast to countries with more advanced infrastructure, Nigeria has fewer severe incidents due to its cautious approach. “Here, flights are cancelled at the slightest sign of a safety concern,” NCAA noted.
The regulatory authority stated that the grounding of Rano Air’s aircraft is in accordance with international best practices and complies with global safety oversight standards.
“We are committed to keeping Nigerian airspace safe and will continue to uphold all necessary checks,” the Authority affirmed.
Affected passengers are expected to be accommodated in line with Rano Air’s responsibilities under Nigeria’s consumer protection regulations.
NCAA has assured the public that a detailed update will be provided once the ongoing safety investigation into aircraft 5N-BZY is concluded.