Abuja airport runway shut after Aero aircraft landing mishap

One of the runways of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, has been temporarily shut after a landing mishap involving an Aero Contractors aircraft.

According to a statement by James Odaudu, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) public affairs and consumer protection director, the mishap occurred when the Lagos-Abuja bound flight landed at the airport and was taxiing on runway A4 when its nose wheel got stuck to the ground.

Odaudu said the incident involving the aircraft — Boeing 733 with nationality and registration marks 5N-BYQ — occurred at about 10:47 a.m. on Sunday. 

He said the NSIB has commenced an investigation into the incident after being notified.

“The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been notified and has commenced an investigation into a serious incident involving a Boeing 737 with nationality and registration marks 5N-BYQ belonging to Aerocontractors Airlines, which occurred around 10:47 am (local time) on November 12, 2023,” the statement reads. 

“The aircraft upon landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja from Lagos and in a bid to exit the runway via A4 had its nose wheel stuck in the grass verge with its fuselage on the runway.

“Consequently, the runway was closed pending the towing of the aircraft from the runway. There was no injury or fatality.

“The NSIB, hereby, solicits information from the general public in form of pictures, video or recording evidences to assist in conducting a comprehensive investigation.”