Safety Bureau Begins Investigation into Incident Involving United Nigeria Airlines at Lagos Airport
...As Airline Reassures on Priority of Passengers' Safety
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) says it has been notified and has commenced investigation into a serious incident involving an Embraer ERJ145 with Nationality and Registration Marks 5N-BWY belonging to United Nigeria Airlines.
The incident occurred around 06:33pm on September 8, 2023, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The aircraft, with 51 passengers and 4 crew members onboard was en-route Lagos from Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo state.
According to a statement signed by the spokesperson of NSIB, Tunji Oketunbi, the aircraft on landing on Runway 18R of MMIA, skidded off the runway, adding that there was no injury or fatality.
The statement further read: “The NSIB, hereby, solicits information from the general public in form of pictures, video or recording evidences to assist in conducting a comprehensive investigation.
“The NSIB will appreciate that the general public and press respect the privacy of the people involved and NOT assume the cause of the serious incident until formal report is released.
“The NSIB is a multimodal investigation agency charged with the mandate to investigate transportation accidents and serious incidents in Nigeria with the aim of identifying the probable causes and proffer safety recommendations that can prevent reoccurrence.
“The Bureau will release the preliminary report soon”.
Meanwhile, Head, Corporate Communications, United Nigeria Airlines, Achilleus-Chud Uchegbu in a statement said the aircraft, upon landing at the Lagos Airport aquaplaned due to a downpour.
According to him, the aircraft landed normally but skidded off the runway upon landing, with all passengers unhurt and safely evacuated alongside their luggage.
The airline also restated its commitment to ensuring the safety of its passengers at all times.
“Passenger safety is of utmost priority to United Nigeria Airlines.
“We assure our passengers that we value their safety and will not compromise on it. We shall continually work, like we have always done, to ensure that our passengers are always united with their destinations safely”, the statement added.
