The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has released its preliminary report, on the runway skid incident involving a Dana Air aircraft, with registration number 5N-BKI.
The incident, which occurred on April 23, 2024, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, led to the immediate suspension of the airline’s operations by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.
According to the report obtained by PUNCH Online, the bureau attributed the incident to a failed Nose Landing Gear (NLG).
It detailed how severe vibration and loud noise from the NLG area were observed during the aircraft’s landing roll.
The captain of the aircraft noticed the collapse of the NLG at around 80 knots, resulting in a loss of directional control that caused the plane to veer off the runway to the left.
The report outlined the sequence of events, stating, “The aircraft then veered off to the left and exited the runway at about 2,094 m from the threshold.
It continued on the grass verge, crossed the paved Link 6, and stopped at about 2,343 m from the threshold, about 36 m from the runway centerline.”
Despite the dramatic turn of events, all occupants were evacuated safely without any injuries.
The captain shut down the engines and commanded evacuation through the Forward Service Door due to safety concerns.
The Cabin Crew swiftly deployed the Escape Slide, facilitating the evacuation process.
In April, Dana Air management confirmed the incident, noting that the aircraft skidded off the runway during an attempted landing.
Fortunately, no casualties were recorded.
The airline promptly informed the Accident Investigation Bureau and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority of the incident, ensuring that proper protocols were followed in response to the emergency.
The release of the preliminary report sheds light on the circumstances surrounding the runway skid incident, providing valuable insights for further investigation and safety enhancements within the aviation industry.
