NSIB Begins Probe On Incident Involving United Nigeria Airlines

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, has launched an investigation into the incident involving an Embraer ERJ145 with registration number 5N-BWY belonging to United Nigeria Airlines.

The Bureau noted that the incident, which occurred around 06:33 p.m. on September 8, 2023, had 51 passengers and four crew members onboard.

According to a statement on Saturday morning by the NSIB General Manager, Public Affairs, Tunji Oketunbi, signed by the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, James Odaudu, the aircraft upon landing on Runway 18R of Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, skidded off.

He, however, noted that there there was no injury or fatality recorded.

The aircraft skidded off the runway at Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos on Friday evening while trying to land during the downpour on Friday night.

In a statement by the Head of Corporate Communications of the airlines, Achilleus-Chud Uchegbu, the flight had successfully operated and landed at its destination, having arrived from the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri.

However, upon touching down in the downpour, the plane’s tires lost grip on the wet surface, causing it to skid off the runway.

Meanwhile, the NSIB has appealed to members of the public to assist with any information that would further shed light on the incident.

The statement read, “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.

“The Bureau can be reached through [email protected] and NSIB_Nigeria on its social media platforms. The Bureau can also be reached on its emergency line +234-807-709-0909.

“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 the 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.”