Comprehensive investigation begins as aeroplane loses 2 engines midair after take off

Comprehensive investigation begins as aeroplane loses 2 engines midair after take off

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has initiated an investigation into a serious incident involving a Fly Bird HS 125 aircraft, registered as 5NKAL, which encountered significant technical issues during a flight on December 6, 2024.

The aircraft was en route from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja (DNAA) to Kotoka International Airport in Accra (DGAA) when it suffered a critical engine failure. According to preliminary reports, the aircraft experienced a malfunction with its engines while cruising at flight level 240. The crew, which included three members and one passenger, noticed a fault with engine number 2 and made the decision to return to Abuja.

Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at NSIB, confirmed the incident in a statement released on Sunday. The report indicated that at 17:54 UTC, the aircraft was about 25 nautical miles southwest of VOR station VONUK when the crew requested to divert back to Abuja due to the engine issue. The request was granted, and the aircraft was cleared to descend to flight level 190.

During the descent, however, the situation worsened as engine number 2 failed completely at flight level 230. As the aircraft neared Abuja, the crew declared a Mayday emergency at around 5,000 feet, reporting that engine number 1 had also failed. Despite the dual engine failure, the crew successfully brought the aircraft in for a safe landing at Abuja Airport at 18:16 UTC.

Remarkably, there were no injuries reported, and all four individuals aboard are unharmed. The NSIB has launched a comprehensive investigation to fully understand the sequence of events leading to the engine failures and to assess the circumstances surrounding this alarming incident.