The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) have begun investigation into runway excursion which occured on Tuesday morning at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos when an aircraft operated by Dana Airlines landed.
Acting Director General of NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo made this known in a statement while giving updates on the runway excursion occurrence
“In accordance with statutory procedures, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau [NSIB) has commenced its investigation into the occurrence,” Najomo said.
Confirming the NCAA’S claim, its Spokeswoman, Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, NSIB said it has began investigation into the runway excursion occurrence. It added that it has deployed a team of Investigators to the scene of the incident and have obtained a preliminary report from the incident.
NSIB asserted that the report of its preliminary nvestigation revealed that the aircraft on landing, suffered technical problem on its landing gears and encountered directional control problems which caused it to veer off the runway into the grassy area.
“We have commenced an investigation to determine the full circumstances surrounding the runway excursion event involving Dana Airline MD-82 aircraft with registration marking 5N-BKI,” stated Captain Alex Badeh Jr., Director General of the NSIB. “A go-team has been dispatched to the incident scene and has begun inquiries. We will leave no stone unturned in examining all aspects surrounding the incident.”
The investigation team has retrieved the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder, which will be taken to our lab for data download. The transcript from Air Traffic Control and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria will also be included for forensic analysis and further investigation. The NSIB team has also measured the aircraft’s veering point from the runway to its final stop on the grass. Crew members have been interviewed and undergone toxicology tests. As of today, all stakeholders involved in the operation of this aircraft, including the manufacturer, are being notified for their comments to be included in our report.
“The NSIB’s investigation of this incident will examine all aspects, including the airworthiness status of the aircraft, operational policies, human factors, weather condition, health and mental status of the crew, aircraft maintenance records, and any previous incidents involving this aircraft’s landing gear system,” NSIB said.
In accordance with international aviation safety protocols, NSIB affirmed that preliminary report containing a summary of basic fact-finding about the incident will be released within 30 days. A final report with safety recommendations will be issued at the conclusion of the investigation.
The NSIB added that it will collaborate with relevant stakeholders including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency, ( NiMeT) as well as other relevant institutions and specialists to gather all necessary information, data, and evidence concerning the operation of the flight..
While the Director General appreciated the patience and understanding of travellers impacted by this incident as investigation and report on the circumstances that led to today’s runway excursion continued, the public is urged to remain patient as the investigation progresses. Regular updates will be provided as new information becomes available
