The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has raised the alarm over the aircraft in the fleet of Allied Air, asking the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority to ensure a discrete inspection of the airline for possible mechanical defects.
NSIB asked the aviation regulator to pay attention to the flap and landing gear systems of the aircraft operated by the cargo airline.
The NSIB raised this alarm in a preliminary report on the accident involving an aircraft belonging to the airline in Abuja on December 11, 2024.
The report endorsed by the Director-General of NSIB, Capt Alex Badeh, noted that the check was expedient to guide against similar incidents in the future.
Recall that a Boeing 737-400 belonging to Allied Air, with the registration number: 5N-JRT, was involved in an incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while landing on December 11, 2024.
According to the NSIB report, the aircraft was on an errand to collect cargo for the Central Bank of Nigeria before it experienced a malfunction with its flaps during its final approach at the airport.
The NSIB findings showed that the right main landing gear of the aircraft collapsed, causing the number two engine nacelle to drag along the runway, thereby veering off the runway and to the grass verge.
The report added, “All six occupants onboard were unharmed, and no injuries were reported. The preliminary findings are subject to further analysis, and the final report will provide detailed conclusions and recommendations aimed at enhancing aviation safety.”
The report revealed further that before the accident occurred, the flight crew reported hearing “a bang from the aircraft’s right side” as the wheels touched down on the runway surface.
The PUNCH gathered that the accident occurred in the first sector out of the six sectors planned for the aircraft on the day.
NSIB, however, hinted that its further investigation would focus on a detailed inspection of the right main landing gear assembly, testing, and examination of the aircraft’s flap drive system components, including transmission assemblies and actuators.
It would also investigate the analysis of the main wheel tyres for any indications of failure or wear.
The NSIB confirmed that the flight crew held a valid, current licence and were qualified to conduct the flight, while the aircraft had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness.
The report stated, “The aircraft came in from Doula, Cameroon, on the day of the occurrence and there were no snags logged in the aircraft technical logbook.
“The flight was a cargo revenue flight. The aircraft was scheduled for six sectors: Lagos-Abuja, Abuja-Sokoto, Sokoto-Abuja, Abuja-Yola, Yola-Abuja, and Abuja-Lagos. The same flight crew would operate the flights.”
