FG Begins Probe Of Overland Aircraft’s Mid-air Engine Fire

The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has begun a probe into the emergency landing of a Lagos-bound Overland Airways aircraft after its engine caught fire in the air.

Naija News reports that the distressed aircraft successfully landed on the Runway 18R of the Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday evening, amid a fully prepared airport emergency response team.

The distressed aircraft with 37 souls on board was coming from Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

In a chat with The Punch, the spokesperson for the AIB, Tunji Oketumbi, said the agency had begun an investigation into the incident.

He disclosed that the bureau’s investigators have gone to inspect the aircraft and are interviewing relevant people connected to the matter.

He said, “There’s an ongoing investigation. Our investigators have gone to inspect the aircraft and I believe that they’ll be talking to some people too.

“The summary is that they are gathering evidence for them to be able to investigate the occurrence. Nobody can put a string on when the final report will be ready but within the period there should be a preliminary report.”

Also reacting,

Overland Airways, in a statement after the incident, said, “Overland Airways wishes to inform the general public that its flight OF1188 from Ilorin to Lagos experienced an unusual high turbine temperature on one of its engines today, Wednesday, June 15, 2022 around 7:50pm.

“This occurred in the approach phase of flight and the aircraft landed very safely as the crew skillfully implemented their standard procedures for such abnormal situations.

“All 33 passengers remained calm through the process and safely disembarked row by row in accordance with post-COVID-19 procedures after the aircraft came to a halt on the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos runway 18 Right. No passenger was hurt in any way.

“Overland Airways salutes the professional interventions of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Accident Investigation Bureau Nigeria (AIB-N) which were very prompt and reassuring.”