SAN FRANCISCO, October 13, (THEWILL) – A Fokker 28 plane belonging to IRS, one of Nigeria’s domestic carriers, on Sunday afternoon made an emergency landing at the Kaduna airport.
An inside source told THEWILL that the plane which had 89 passengers on board departed the Murtala Mohammed Airport Two, MMA2, Lagos but developed hydraulic problems few minutes before landing at the Kaduna airport.
UPDATE:
The country has been saved of another aviation disaster as a Fokker 28 aircraft belonging to a local carrier, IRS, made an emergency landing at the Kaduna Airport on Sunday.
Impeccable sources told THEWILL that the aircraft, which departed the Murtala Mohammed Airport Two, MMA2, Lagos Sunday afternoon developed hydraulic problem few minutes before landing at the airport.
The aircraft with flight number 3390 and having 89 passengers on board was said to have asked for permission to make an emergency landing from the control tower, which was immediately granted it.
IRS Airlines currently operates with only one aircraft for all its routes as its remaining aircrafts, which have gone for checks since early this year, are yet to return.
Managing Director of the airline, Mr. Yemi Dada, confirmed the incident in a statement, saying the aircraft developed the fault on final approach to Kaduna airport.
He said the plane’s cockpit crew got a low hydraulic in system One warning and decided to take precautionary measures to ask for ground confirmation that all gears were down and locked.
He stated that the aircraft landed normally after the control tower had confirmed that the gears were all down.
“The crew proceeded to land, but followed procedure to disembark on the runway and not taxi in accordance with the procedure.
“All passengers disembarked normally and the aircraft was towed to ramp. The maintenance crew are inspecting to confirm the issue that caused the warning to the crew,” he added.
Aviation Ministry, NCAA try to spin incident, say plane landed safely
Press Release
IRS safe landing in Kaduna
An aircraft F. 100 with Reg no 5N-HIR , operated by IRS Airline landed safely, following a hydraulic leakage on the runway of Kaduna airport today, October 13, 2013.
NCAA directed the airline to tow the aircraft to the apron and Accident Investigation Prevention Bureau, AIPB has commenced investigation into the incident.
The NCAA wishes to assure all air travellers of their safety and caution against magnifying a manageable incident out of proportion.
Capt. Fola Akinkoutu
Director General
NCAA.
IRS aircraft not involved in Emergency Landing
An IRS aircraft from Lagos to Kaduna landed safely at the airport at about 11 am this morning in spite of developing a minor hydrolic problem on approach landing. The Pilot, using Reverse Throttle mechanism safely landed and stopped the aircraft on the runway. The aircraft was not involved in an emergency landing.
All passengers and crew disembarked safely, after which the aircraft was towed from the runway to the apron. Normal operations have since resumed at the airport.
Joe Obi
SA (Media) to Hon. Minister of Aviation
