BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
In what many have described as a commendable display of professionalism and adherence to safety protocols, the crew of a Rano Air flight successfully managed an in-flight incident involving aircraft 5N-BZY, ensuring the safe landing of all passengers and crew.
The incident occurred yesterday during a Kano-Sokoto service.
The aircraft experienced a failure in engine 1, prompting the appearance of smoke in both the cabin and flight deck. Acting swiftly, the flight crew donned oxygen masks and initiated the appropriate emergency procedures.
Thanks to their calm and expert handling, the crew alerted air traffic control at 1505 (3:05pm).
Eventually, the smoke dissipated before landing, and the aircraft was brought safely to the ground without incident at 1534hrs (3:34pm).
In line with international aviation standards, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), through its Directorate of Airworthiness, immediately ordered the grounding of the aircraft pending a thorough investigation.
Spokesman of the Authority, Michael Achimugu, made the disclosure.
“The NCAA prioritises safety. The records are clear. More advanced countries have worse air incidents than Nigeria because, here, flights will get cancelled if there is the slightest concern about safety”, the regulator said in a statement.
Due to the grounding, a replacement aircraft initially designated to airlift stranded passengers from Sokoto had already boarded Abuja-Katsina-bound passengers. Rather than disrupt the already boarded flight, the Sokoto leg was cancelled.
The affected aircraft, 5N-BZY, remains on the ground with engineers currently conducting a detailed technical assessment.
The NCAA reiterated its staunch commitment to ensuring the safety of all air travellers in Nigeria. It said passenger safety will always come first, even if it means delays or cancellations.
The incident, according to aviation enthusiasts, highlights the robustness of Nigeria’s aviation safety regime, where precaution takes precedence and professional protocols are firmly in place to handle emergencies effectively.
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