Following the runway skidding incident involving a Dana Air aircraft, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released its preliminary report, attributing the event to a failed Nose Landing Gear (NLG). This report, obtained by newsmen on Saturday, May 17, 2024 sheds light on the causes and circumstances of the incident.
The aircraft, with registration number 5N-BKI, skidded off the Lagos airport runway on April 23, 2024. This incident led to the immediate suspension of Dana Air’s operations by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The report details that severe vibrations and a loud noise from the NLG area were noticed during the landing. “Upon reaching 80 knots, the Captain observed the collapse of the NLG, followed by a loss of directional control,” the report states. This loss of control caused the aircraft to veer off to the left and exit the runway.
The report also highlights that the aircraft was in contact with the control tower and had received clearance to land at Murtala Muhammed International Airport before the incident. “The landing was soft initially,” the report continues. “During the Landing Roll, the Captain deployed Speed Brakes and Thrust Reversers. It was then that the severe vibration and loud noise from the NLG area were noticed.”
“At this point, the crew stated that severe vibration was accompanied by a loud noise from the NLG area. On reaching 80 knots, the Captain noticed the collapse of the NLG, followed by a loss of directional control. The aircraft veered off to the left and exited the runway at about 2,094 meters from the threshold. It continued on the grass verge, crossed the paved Link 6, and stopped at about 2,343 meters from the threshold, approximately 36 meters from the runway centerline,” the report explained.
Upon the aircraft’s final stop, the Captain shut down the engines and commanded an evacuation through the Forward Service Door due to safety concerns on the Main Entry Door side. “The Cabin Crew opened the Forward Service Door, and the Escape Slide was deployed. All occupants evacuated without any injury,” the report concludes.
In April, Dana Air confirmed the incident, acknowledging that the aircraft had skidded off the runway while attempting to land on a flight from Abuja to Lagos. The airline noted that no casualties were recorded and that it had informed both the Accident Investigation Bureau and the NCAA of the incident.
