Regulators have launched a probe into Dana Air’s Safety Procedures following the Lagos runway excursion.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that the Acting Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Captain Chris Najomo has said the agency and Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) have commenced investigation of the runway excursion of an aircraft operated by Dana Air.
He said the Air Traffic Controller tower noticed that the nose wheel of the aircraft retracted, the nose of the aircraft collapsed and the aircraft veered off the runway into the grassy area.
The aircraft operated by Dana Air took off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Tuesday and skidded off the runway at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The eighty-three passengers and six crew members who were on board disembarked the aircraft without injuries.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that the Management of Dana Air in a statement via its official X account @DanaAir said the aircraft has been grounded for investigation.
It also noted that it has alerted the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) formerly AIB and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The Management however did not reveal the cause of the incident.
The statement by the airline reads: “Dana Air regrets to inform the public of a runway excursion involving one of our aircraft, registration number 5N BKI, which was flying from Abuja to Lagos today 23/04/.
“We are relieved to confirm that all 83 passengers and crew onboard the flight disembarked safely without injuries or scare as the crew handled the situation with utmost professionalism.
“We have also updated the AIB and NCAA on the incident and the aircraft involved has been grounded by our maintenance team for further investigation.
“We wish to thank the airport authorities, and our crew for their very swift response in ensuring the safe disembarkation of all passengers following the incident and our sincere apologies and appreciation to the passengers on the affected flight for their patience and understanding.
We wish to reassure our passengers that their safety will always be our top priority, and we are cooperating fully with the relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident”.
Reacting to the incident, Captain Najomo said the NSIB has commenced its investigation into the occurrence.
He said the Authority would implement the safety recommendations expected from the NSIB investigation, adding that the authority will also carry out its in-house safety assessment of the incident.
He said: “The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority wishes to inform the public that on 23rd April 2024 at about 08:25, a Dana Airline aircraft was involved in a runway excursion occurrence.
“The Aircraft, an MD82 with registration marks 5N-BKI, departed Abuja for Lagos with 83 passengers and 6 crew members onboard.
“Upon landing at MMIA, the Air Traffic Controller [ATC] Tower observed at C4 that the Nosewheel had retracted the nose of the aircraft collapsed and the aircraft veered off the runway into the grassy area.
“Very importantly, all passengers and crew disembarked and were evacuated safely while Runway 18L was closed.”
He continued: “In accordance with statutory procedures, the NSIB has commenced its investigation into the occurrence.
“The NCAA reiterates its avowed commitment to a safe and secure aviation sector.
“In furtherance to this commitment, the Authority will be looking to implement the safety recommendations expected from the NSIB investigation while it carries out its own in-house safety assessment of the occurrence.”
He also assured the travelling public of the NCAA’s efforts in holding all operators and service providers in the sector to the highest international safety standards.