The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has reiterated its commitment to prioritising safety in the country’s aviation sector following the engine failure of a Rano Air aircraft, 5N-BZY. The incident, which occurred mid-air, prompted immediate emergency responses as smoke was detected in both the cabin and flight deck.
Director of public affairs and consumer protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu confirmed the incident via the agency’s official X handle, noting that the crew remained composed under pressure. Oxygen masks were deployed as a precaution and the pilots skillfully executed a safe landing, after which the smoke gradually cleared.
In response to the event, the NCAA’s directorate of airworthiness ordered the grounding of the affected aircraft pending a full investigation. Achimugu noted that while a rescue aircraft had been arranged to continue the Sokoto route, it had already taken aboard passengers for a different leg of the journey – Abuja to Katsina – making a change impractical. Consequently, the Sokoto flight was cancelled.
He added that engineers are currently working on the grounded aircraft and assured the public that NCAA does not compromise on safety. “The records are clear,” he stated. “Even more advanced countries experience worse incidents. In Nigeria, we cancel flights at the slightest safety concern.”
