Monday, 30 December 2013

Nigeria Aviation Near Tragedy : El-Rufai, 103 Passengers Escape Death As Aero Aircraft Loses Tyre Upon Landing


A former Abuja Minister, Nasir El-Rufai was among the passengers.
An Aero Contractors aircraft Boeing 737-500, with Registration No 5N-BLC, landed safely at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, Sunday, after a loss of pressure in one of the tyres.
The aircraft which landed at 10.50 am had a total of 104 passengers and crew members on board.
Nasir El-Rufai, who was aboard the plane, said in a tweet that the pilot and the crew of the plane did “a great job.”
“Upon landing in Lagos, our Aero aircraft lost a tyre. The pilot did a great job of breaking to a halt suitably. My phones flew under seats,” Mr. El-Rufai, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, said via his official handle.
“It was amusing hearing shouts of Allah Akbar and Jesus…while the dutiful captain was trying to slow down the plane to a safe location.
“One of the passengers joked that he knew nothing would happen to us as I was onboard, nice of him, but Allah Decides our fate in His way,” he continued.
“The Aero pilot was good, the cabin staff calm and professional in the midst of mild drama and little panic by a few passengers. We thank God,” he added.
Confirming the incident, Yakubu Dati, Coordinating General Manager Aviation Parastatals, said that the aircraft had, immediately after arrival, been towed to the apron and that the Accident Investigation Prevention Bureau, AIPB, had commenced investigation.
“We wish to assure all air travelers of their safety and caution against magnifying a manageable incident out of proportion,” Mr. Dati said.

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