TRAGEDY was averted on Tuesday when an Air Peace aircraft carrying 133 passengers made an emergency landing on Runway 18 right of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
The aircraft made a hard landing on the runway, forcing the nose wheel of the aircraft to collapse. The tyre was also forced to shear off.
The hard landing of the aircraft, it was learnt, caused a major damage to the aircraft, which blocked the runway due to its huge impact.
Besides Air Peace, another aircraft belonging to Turkish Airlines, also developed a fault at the runway.
The two aircraft blocked the runway of the airport.
Sources close to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said efforts were made to remove the aircraft from the runway.
Confirming the development on Tuesday, the spokesman of Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) Tunji Oketumbi said: “The Accident Investigation Bureau, Nigeria, has been notified by Air Peace Nigeria Limited on July 23 of an accident involving a Boeing 737-300 with the registration mark 5N-BQO operated by Air Peace Limited at the MMIA at 11:28 a.m.
“The aircraft, with 133 passengers and six crew members on board, was on approach to MMIA, Lagos, from Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
“From the information provided, the aircraft’s nose wheel collapsed on landing on the runway (18R) and the nose wheel gear tyre sheared off.
“The AIB was informed of a minor injury but no fatality. Our team of safety investigators have commenced investigations.
“As the investigating agency, AIB needs and hereby solicits for your help. We want the public to know that we would be amenable to receiving any video clip, relevant evidence, or information any member of the public may have of the accident, which can assist us with this investigation. “
AIB’s Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer Akin Olateru said: “I will like to enjoin the media and the public to respect the privacy of the people involved and not to pre-empt the cause of the accident.”
Air Peace has hailed Captain Ajibola and her crew for handling the situation well.
The airline, according to its Chief Operating Officer, Mrs Toyin Olajide, said Captain Ajibola noticed sudden weather changes when approaching Lagos and demanded to land on the international runway as it was longer and wider than the domestic runway.
After landing safely and rolling to the runway exit, the nose gear developed a problem and partially collapsed.
The crew notified the airport authorities, who quickly ensured the safe disembarkation of the passengers via the passenger door.
“We are committed to the safety of our passengers at all times. We will continue to operate in line with international practices and in accordance with regulatory guidelines. We are being assisted by the various authorities to determine to cause of the incident,” Mrs Olajide said.
