May 13, (THEWILL)- The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced an investigation into the runway overrun incident involving XeJet Airline’s Embraer 145 aircraft.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NSIB, Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, on Sunday.
In the statement made available to THEWILL, the NSIB stated: “Preliminary fact-finding revealed that the incident occurred at 1:00 pm on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
“The aircraft with registration number 5N BZZ, operated by XeJet Airline on behalf of NG Eagle Airlines, was completing a scheduled flight from Abuja to Lagos with 49 passengers and 3 crew members onboard.
“The flight departed Abuja at 11:10 a.m., maintaining a cruising altitude of Flight Level 280. It was cleared for landing after being held for 50 minutes in Lagos, waiting for the weather to clear. The aircraft then landed on Runway 18 Left (18L) and went off the end of the runway to the left of the centreline. It stopped on the grass verge approximately 326 meters from the threshold of Runway 36R.
“The captain subsequently shut down the engines and commanded an evacuation through a controlled disembarkation. Three exit doors were used for the evacuation process, including two over-wing windows and one forward exit door.
“There were no reported injuries or fatalities as a result of the incident. However, damage was sustained to the aircraft’s nose landing gear and both main landing gear tyres.
“NSIB was notified of the incident by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) at 1:20 PM, and a Go Team was promptly deployed to the incident site, arriving at 1:51 PM.
“NSIB’s investigation of this incident will examine various aspects, including the airworthiness status of the aircraft, operational policies, human factors, weather conditions, health and mental status of the crew, aircraft maintenance records, and any previous incidents involving this aircraft’s landing gear system. Air traffic control data, cockpit voice recordings, and flight data recorders will also be downloaded and examined.
“In accordance with international aviation safety protocols, a preliminary report containing a summary of basic fact-finding about the incident will be released within 30 days. A final report with safety recommendations will be issued at the conclusion of the investigation.”
Commenting, the Director General of NSIB, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr, said: “Our focus is determining the factors that led to the runway overrun. NSIB’s investigation into this incident is ongoing.
“Our investigators have interviewed the captain, senior first officer, and purser. Toxicology tests were also conducted on the crew to check for any impairing substances. All tests came back negative.
“The Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder have been retrieved and the data downloaded for further analysis at our transport safety lab.”
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
