The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, (NSIB), says it has commenced an investigation into the runway excursion incident involving Dana Airline’s MD 82 aircraft at the Murtala Muhammad Airport Lagos.
NSIB, in a release by its spokesperson, Bimbo Oladeji, disclosed that the aircraft, which departed Abuja at 8.20 a.m., arrived in Lagos at about 9.20 a.m., as there was rain in Lagos and the runway 18L surface was wet.
The NSIB further revealed that the aircraft had a technical problem with its landing gear, and experienced directional control problems after landing, which resulted in the aircraft veering off the runway to the left, and travelling onto the grassy area near Runway 18L link 6 turn-off point.
A team of investigators was deployed to the scene of the incident and retrieved the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder, which will be taken to the laboratory for data downloading.
The transcripts from Air Traffic Control and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria will also be included for forensic analysis and further investigation.
The NSIB investigation is expected to examine all aspects, including the airworthiness status of the aircraft, operational policies, human factors, weather conditions, aircraft maintenance records, and the health and mental status of the crew.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA), has reiterated its commitment to ensuring a safe and secure aviation sector.
The Acting Director General of the NCAA, Chris Najomo, said in a release, that the Authority will be looking to implement the safety recommendations, expected from the NSIB investigation, while it carries out its own in-house safety assessment of the occurrence.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
