Dana Air’s Preliminary Report: Aircraft Had Valid Airworthiness Certificate, Flight Crew Certified – NSIB
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has revealed that the Dana Aircraft involved in the serious incident on runway 18L of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) had valid airworthiness.
NSIB also disclosed that the flight crew were properly licensed and certified to operate the aircraft.
The incident which occurred on April 23, 2024 around past 9am involved a McDonnell Douglas MD-82 aircraft operated by Dana Airlines Limited with Nationality and Registration Marks 5N-BKI.
According to a statement (preliminary report) issued by the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of NSIB, Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji on Friday, May 17; “The plane departed Abuja at about 8:20 AM local time and arrived in Lagos around 9:20 AM local time. Onboard the aircraft were 82 passengers and 6 crew members, thankfully, no injury or fatality was recorded. The NSIB investigation team has determined the following;
“The flight crew were properly licensed and certified to operate the aircraft. The aircraft had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness at the time of the incident. Prior to landing, the crew selected the landing gear down, and the Main Landing Gear Indication Lights displayed green. However, the Nose Landing Gear (NLG) Indication Light remained red.
“The crew followed established procedures by attempting to cycle the landing gear and performing the Emergency Gear Extension checklist. Unfortunately, the NLG remained in an unconfirmed down and locked position,” the statement reads in part.
The bureau stated that during a low pass over the airport, Air Traffic Control (ATC) reported that the NLG appeared extended visually.
It added: “Upon landing, the Ground Spoilers did not deploy automatically as expected. During the landing roll, the crew experienced severe vibration and loud noises from the NLG area. The NLG initially remained extended but ultimately collapsed at approximately 80 knots.
“The Captain ordered an evacuation due to safety concerns. Passengers and crew exited safely using the Forward Service Door and deployed escape slide.”
Having released the preliminary report on the incident, NSIB noted that investigation is ongoing, stressing that it will continue to gather and analyse evidence to determine the cause of the incident.
The bureau further said that it will release a final report with safety recommendations at the conclusion of the investigation.
