Aero Contractors has disclosed the reasons for a near crash of one its aircraft which was bound for Kaduna on Saturday. The airline is a statement explained the cause of the emergency landing of Kaduna-bound flight...... READ-MORE AT THE CUT
The Aero Flight 180, which was carrying
not fewer than 120 passengers from Lagos to Kaduna, had to be diverted
to Abuja after the aircraft developed fault 20 minutes after departure.
It was reported that the aircraft
experienced heavy vibration and also lost altitude mid-air for over one
hour before it was eventually diverted to Abuja.
The airline’s statement
Aero flight NG181 which departed Lagos
at 18:28 pm to Kaduna undertook an emergency landing in Abuja following a
depressurization of the Boeing 737-500 aircraft. About 25 minutes
after take-off, the cabin got depressurized and based on sound
professional training, the pilot descended to 10,000 feet above sea
level; the oxygen masks were automatically released from overhead
compartments.
Since we have maintenance base in Abuja,
our technical crew diverted the flight and landed in Abuja, while
another aircraft was provided for the onward journey of our esteemed
passengers. This second aircraft was used for the return journey to
Lagos from Kaduna
What the authorities are saying….
The General Manager, Public Affairs of
NCAA, Fan Ndubuoke said that the body is aware of the incident and had
demanded a report from the airline.
They have told us what happened but it will not stop us from doing our own investigation.
A lot of people said the engine caught
fire, but there is no way that an engine will catch fire mid-air and
everybody will be spared.
There was nothing like fire incident on
the plane and Aero has issued a statement that the airline lost pressure
and was diverted to land in Abuja.
After landing, they brought another
aircraft to take the passengers to Kaduna but some of them were afraid
to continue with the trip.
The authority says the aircraft involved
in the incident would not fly until there was a complete investigation
and re-certification by the NCAA.
Passenger recounts ordeal…..
Passengers on the flight refused to
continue their trip on the same aircraft after officials of the airline
told them the plane would be repaired in Abuja and fly them to Kaduna as
planned
“The plane lost altitude 20 minutes
after take-off. We had to make use of the oxygen masks. We saw smoke
outside the plane, probably coming from the engine compartment” said
Professor Ishaq Akintola, The Director of Muslim Rights Concern
At this time, the whole plane was thrown
into commotion. Many passengers screamed and some fainted. Prayers upon
prayers were offered. Some shouted Allah, others Jesus.” Akintola
continued.
“While the pilot was making the
announcement of the flight diversion, I noticed that his voice was
trembling. He told us that Abuja was 120 miles away and that we would
land in 25 minutes. But we were not sure we would make it.
“In fact, I quickly recited the Kalimah (the Quranic invocation of the oneness of Allah), believing that the end had come”
