By Olaide Ajibola, JKNMedia Reporter
A XEJET Airlines plane encountered a harrowing incident today, Saturday, at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) in Lagos, as it veered off the runway during landing.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) swiftly confirmed the occurrence, shedding light on the details of the event.
The flight, which departed from Abuja, faced an unexpected turn of events upon its arrival in Lagos.
The aircraft, identified with the call sign 5NBZZ, skidded off runway 18L upon landing, eventually coming to a halt on the grass verge adjacent to the runway. Onboard the ill-fated flight were approximately 52 passengers and crew members.
Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, the Director of the Public Affairs and Consumer Protection Department at NSIB, affirmed the incident, though details remained sparse at the time of reporting. Despite the lack of comprehensive information, NSIB promptly dispatched investigators to the scene to assess the situation firsthand.
In an official statement, NSIB confirmed the occurrence and assured the public of ongoing efforts to manage the aftermath.
The bureau outlined that emergency response teams, including fire and rescue units, were swiftly mobilized to aid in the safe evacuation of passengers from the aircraft.
The statement also says this alarming incident raises concerns, particularly in light of previous regulatory actions taken against XeJet Airlines. On September 1, 2023, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) suspended both the air operator certificate (AOC) and air transport license (AOL) of XeJet.
The suspension was also attributed to the airline’s failure to substantiate the authenticity of its insurance documents, following challenges in verifying the legitimacy of the provided paperwork by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).
As a precautionary measure, the runway involved in the incident has been temporarily closed to air traffic, pending further assessment and necessary precautions, the statement said.
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