NSIB Begins Probe As Aircraft Skids Off Lagos Runway Amid Heavy Downpour

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has said it has started investigation over an aircraft belonging to United Nigeria Airlines that skidded off the runway after landing at the Murtala Muhammed Airport during the Friday night heavydownpour in Lagos.

LEADERSHIP reports that the United Nigeria had in a statement by the head, Corporate Communications, Achilleus-Chud Uchegbu, said the aircraft coming from Owerri landed normally but skidded off the runway upon landing.

He, however, disclosed that all passengers were evacuated with their luggage with no injuring recorded by anyone.

“A United Nigeria Airlines flight U5 0513 operated by its aircraft with registration 5N-BWY upon landing at Murtala Mohammed Airport Lagos aquaplaned due to a downpour. The aircraft which was coming in from the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport Owerri operated and landed normally but skidded off the runway upon landing. All Passengers have also been safely evacuated alongside with their luggage. No passenger was hurt in the incident,” Uchegbu stated in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP.

However, the spokesman of NSIB, Tunji Oketunbi, who confirmed the incident, said 51 passengers and for crew members were onboard the aircraft.

According to him, the bureau was seeking information from the general public to assist in conducting a comprehensive investigation.

He said, “NSIB has been notified and commenced investigation into a serious incident involving an Embraer ERJ145 with Nationality and Registration Marks 5N-BWY belonging to United Nigeria Airlines, which occurred around 06:33pm (Local Time) on 8th September, 2023.

“The aircraft, with 51 passengers and 4 crew members onboard was en-route Lagos from Owerri. The aircraft on landing on Runway 18R of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, skidded off 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 [email protected] and NSIB_Nigeria on its social media platforms. The Bureau can also be reached on its emergency line +234-807-709-0909.”

Oketunbi, however, called for respect for the privacy of the passengers even as he assured that the Bureau will release the preliminary report soon.

“The NSIB will appreciate that the general public and press respect the privacy of the people involved 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. The Bureau will release the preliminary report soon,” he added.