November 12, (THEWILL) – Normal flight operations have resumed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja following the successful removal of an Aero Contractors Aircraft that was stuck on the runway on Sunday morning.
THEWILL earlier reported that flights were disrupted on Sunday, after a Boeing 737 Aero aircraft made a bad landing at the airport, damaging its landing gear.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), in a statement by its Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, James Odaudu, had said that the aircraft, which departed the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos on Sunday morning, had a serious incident at 10:47am after landing at the Abuja airport.
Odaudu said the aircraft, on landing on the runway, had its nose wheel stuck in the grass verge with its fuselage on the runway, adding that the incident led to the closure of the runway before the aircraft was towed out.
While the NSIB had commenced an immediate investigation into the cause of the incident, Aero Contractors said the company is cooperating with the relevant agencies over the incident.
A statement by its Managing Director, Capt. Ado Sanusi, apologised for the inconvenience caused to “our customers” and other airport users.
“All passengers were safely evacuated through a controlled disembarkation. Flight NG 119 with a registered Boeing 737 aircraft 5N-BYQ from Lagos to Abuja had a total of 133 passengers on board
“Our team, with the assistance of the airport management, have already towed the aircraft from the taxiway.
“We are equally cooperating with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) as they carry out their investigations.
“Our mantra at Aero Contractors is safety, and our long history is a testimony to this,” said Sanusi.
