Following an engine failure in mid-flight while traveling from Abuja to Katsina, a Rano Air aircraft registered 5N-BZY has been grounded by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Sources in the aviation industry told Daily Trust that the plane’s first engine failed while in the air, and the flight crew quickly implemented emergency protocols.
Rano Air’s activities were disrupted as a result of the event. Because the Sokoto portion of the journey was canceled, passengers who were supposed to take flights from Sokoto to other locations were left stranded.
In accordance with all emergency procedures, the pilots’ oxygen masks were immediately activated. The plane landed safely and without any more incidents after the smoke cleared, fortunately, an aviation official had informed reporters.
Although a rescue plane was quickly sent to transport the passengers from Abuja to Katsina, other flight schedules were impacted by the operational issue.
Grounded Aircraft for Examination
The NCAA said in a preliminary assessment that its Directorate of Airworthiness ordered the impacted aircraft to be grounded while a thorough examination was conducted.
Read Also: APC Behind Harassment of Our Members by Police – PDP Claims
The report said, “Engineers are currently inspecting the aircraft on the ground to identify the underlying cause of the smoke and engine problem.”
The NCAA reaffirmed its commitment to safety, stating that it would never allow established aviation protocols to be compromised, even if doing so temporarily disrupts aircraft operations.
The Authority stated, “Nigeria’s aviation safety record is still strong despite the unique difficulties of operating in a developing environment.”
It emphasized that Nigeria has less severe occurrences because of its cautious approach compared to nations with more developed infrastructure. “In this case, flights are canceled at the first indication of a safety issue,” the NCAA stated.
The regulatory body declared that the aircraft grounding of Rano Air complies with international safety monitoring criteria and best practices.
“We will continue to uphold all necessary checks and are committed to keeping Nigerian airspace safe,” the Authority declared.
In accordance with its obligations under Nigeria’s consumer protection laws, Rano Air is anticipated to provide accommodations for the impacted passengers.
The public has been promised by NCAA that a thorough update would be given following the conclusion of the ongoing safety inquiry involving aircraft 5N-BZY.
