The acting director-general of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo has affirmed the agency’s dedication to maintaining a safe and secure aviation sector in the wake of the Dana Airline runway incursion, which fortunately resulted in no casualties.
Najomo stated the incident, stating that on April 23, 2024, at approximately 08:25, a Dana Airline aircraft experienced a runway excursion. The aircraft involved was an MD82 with registration marks 5SN-BKI, departing from Abuja to Lagos with 83 passengers and 6 crew members onboard.
Upon landing at MMIA, the Air Traffic Control Tower observed that the nose wheel had retracted, causing the nose of the aircraft to collapse and veer off the runway into the grassy area. However, all passengers and crew were safely evacuated, and Runway 18L was subsequently closed.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has initiated an investigation into the incident by statutory procedures. The NCAA, reaffirming its commitment to safety, will await and implement the safety recommendations from the NSIB’s investigation, in addition to conducting its internal safety assessment.
The travelling public is assured of the NCAA’s unwavering efforts to uphold the highest international safety standards across all operators and service providers in the aviation sector.
