The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, has been temporarily shut following a runway incursion involving an Aero Contractors aircraft.
The Lagos-Abuja flight, operated by Aero Contractors, landed at the Airport, as it was taxiing on Runway A4 when its nose wheel got stuck to the ground.
However, it was gathered that there was no fatality or injury, as passengers were safely disembarked from the aircraft while efforts are currently being made to remove the aircraft from the runway.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Dr. James Odaudu, confirmed the incident. According to him, “The aircraft involved in the serious incident was a Boeing 733, with Nationality and Registration Marks: 5N-BYQ, which occurred around 10:47am (local time) on 12th November.
He said: “The aircraft, upon landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja from Lagos, and in a bid to exit the runway via A4, had its nose wheel stuck in the grass verge with its fuselage on the runway. Consequently, the runway was closed pending the towing of the aircraft from the runway. There was no injury or fatality”.
Meanwhile, the Bureau said it has commenced investigation into the serious incident after it was notified. “The NSIB, hereby, solicits information from the general public in the form of pictures, video or recording evidence, to assist in conducting a comprehensive investigation”, it stated.
