Aero flight skids off runway with passengers, causes commotion at Abuja airport

Though there were no injuries and fatalities recorded in the incident, the runway was closed “pending the towing of the aircraft from the runway.”

Ahmed Oluwasanjo • November 12, 2023

Aero Contractors Airlines [credit : ICIR]

On Sunday morning, an Aero Contractors Airline flight skidded off the runway on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, from Lagos, causing panic in the airport.

Though there were no injuries and fatalities recorded in the incident, the runway was closed “pending the towing of the aircraft from the runway.”

The spokesperson for the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, James Odaudu, confirmed the incident involving a “Boeing 733 with Nationality and Registration Marks 5N-BYQ” belonging to the airline in a statement on Sunday.

“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,” Mr Odaudu said.

He added, “The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been notified and has commenced investigation into a serious incident involving a Boeing 733 with Nationality and Registration Marks 5N-BYQ belonging to Aero Contractors Airlines, which occurred around 10:47 a.m. (Local Time) on 12th November 2023.”

The NISB also urged the public to provide video, photos and other relevant evidence to assist its investigation.

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