104 Passengers Escape Death As Aero Loses Tyre In lagos

 

There was panic at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, on Sunday as an Aero Contractors’ aircraft conveying a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nasir El-Rufai, and 103 other passengers from Abuja lost one of its tyres while landing at the airport.

Although no casualty was recorded, it was learnt that the Boeing 737-500 aircraft with registration No 5N-BLC lost the air pressure in one of its tyres and the pilot had to abruptly bring the plane to a halt.

El-Rufai stated that many of the passengers were scared when they were informed that the aircraft had lost a tyre.

He narrated via his Twitter handle, “Upon landing in Lagos, our aircraft lost a tyre. The pilot did a great job of breaking to a halt suitably. My phones flew under seats.

“It was amusing hearing shouts of ‘Allah Akbar’ and ‘Jesus’, ‘Jesu’ while the dutiful captain was trying to slow the plane down to a safe location.”

El-Rufai commended the pilot of the aircraft and the crew.

He said, “The Aero pilot was good; the cabin crew calm and professional in the midst of the mild drama and the little panic by a few passengers. We thank God.”

 

The Coordinating General Manager, Aviation Parastatals, Mr. Yakubu Dati, reacting to the development, said the aircraft landed at about 10.50am.

 

He said, “The aircraft has since been towed to the apron and the Accident Investigation Prevention Bureau has commenced investigation into the incident. We wish to assure all air travellers of their safety and caution against magnifying a manageable incident out of proportion.”

 

When contacted, the spokesperson for Aero, Mr. Simon Tumba, said the passengers disembarked the aircraft safely.