Nigeria’s aviation industry is currently facing heightened concerns following a series of plane crash-landing incidents. Within a span of just two weeks, the sector has witnessed two such accidents, raising alarm among Nigerians about the state of aviation safety.
The most recent incident involved a Boeing 737 Jet, registered as 5N-BYQ, from Aero Contractors Airlines. It crash-landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Sunday. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has classified this as ‘a serious accident.’
Last week, another scare occurred when a private HS25B aircraft, operated by Flint Aero, made an emergency landing on the runway at Ibadan Airport, Oyo State. Remarkably, all passengers, including the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, emerged unscathed from the ordeal.
These incidents come shortly after the Nigerian Aviation Authority (NCAA) issued warnings to pilots and airline operators about the perils of hazardous weather during the dry season. Additionally, just six months ago, a Max Air aircraft with registration number 5N-MBD carrying 143 passengers narrowly avoided disaster at NAIA due to tire bursts and subsequent flames.
While thankfully, there have been no fatalities, these occurrences have instilled fear in Nigerians regarding aviation safety. This is despite NSIB’s assurances of thorough investigations into these accidents.
According to a report by the Daily Post, air passenger Godwin Ezeokafor, a regular on the Abuja-Lagos route, expressed his concern. “The recent rise in plane crash landings is alarming. I had a near-miss experience myself. It’s clear that Nigeria’s aviation sector urgently needs an overhaul. Regulatory bodies like FAAN, the NCAA, and the NAMA must step up their game,” he stated.
Abdullahi Sani, another passenger, advised caution in selecting airlines. “Based on recent events, it’s evident that some Nigerian airlines might not be safe. I’ve had two concerning experiences myself,” he said.
In a conversation with DAILY POST, Capt. John Ojikutu, an industry expert and CEO of Centurion Aviation Security and Safety Consult, emphasized the need for regulatory agencies to enhance their oversight of aviation safety. He speculated that issues such as runway maintenance at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport might have contributed to the incidents, though he awaits the official investigation results.
Responding to inquiries from DAILY POST, NSIB spokesperson Tunji Oketunbi sought to reassure the public. “While these incidents are still under investigation, it’s premature to speculate on causes. However, I maintain confidence in the safety of Nigeria’s airspace. No fatalities occurred, but it’s crucial for regulators and operators to remain vigilant and proactive in maintaining safety,” he said.
