97 escape death in Lagos as Dana plane makes emergency landing

IT was a lucky escape yesterday for some 97 passengers and the crew members aboard an aircraft marked Flight 9J 995, belonging to Dana Airlines, which took off from the domestic wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja en route the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The McDonnell Douglas MD83 aircraft, which took off from the MMA2 about 9:15 a.m, made an emergency landing at 9.45 a.m.

There were conflicting reports over what was responsible for the emergency landing as an account alleged that the engines of the aircraft caught fire a few minutes after take-off, while another account said that the aircraft was almost brought down by a bird strike.

The incident came on a day the new Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Fidelia Akoabata Njeze, made her maiden visit to the Lagos airport after her appointment about two weeks ago.

Those who witnessed the emergency air return said they saw balls of fire and smoke billowing from the left engine of the MD83 aircraft when it finally gained balance before landing on the runway R18 of the international wing of the airport.

Danger was first sensed by workers around the airport when the aircraft gave an abnormal sound as it was taking off on the runway L18 of the domestic wing of the airport.

The unusual sound was what attracted everyone within the airport which compelled everyone to rush out in a bid to know what was happening.

“Shortly after take off, balls of fire were seen coming out of the left engine of the two engine McDonnell Douglas 83 aircraft,” an eyewitness said.

Onlookers became more worried when the aircraft was seen losing balance even as fire and thick smoke continued to billow out of the engine.

The aircraft got stable later but dragging as it climbed, forcing it to make a safe air return 30 minutes after take-off.

It was finally piloted by a fire fighting truck from the international runway to the apron of the MMA2.

Some of the 97 passengers on board, who spoke with the Nigerian Compass, expressed shock over the incident which they claimed the pilot attributed to a bird strike.

A bird strike in aviation parlance is the collision between an airborne animal, usually a bird or bat, and a man-made vehicle, especially aircraft.

One of the lucky passengers, Mrs. Bisi Alli-Balogun, an employee of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), said she had nothing to say than to thank God for His mercies.

Panting, Mrs. Alli-Balogun said: “Ah ah! I thank God for saving my live that I did not perish in an aircraft. He didn’t allow me and my daughter to die in aircraft accident.

“The aircraft was just shaking and making noise. The sound was so abnormal. It was moving up and down and until we finally landed in Lagos.”

Another passenger, Victor Uzor Echi said: “The pilot told us it was a bird strike and urged whoever cared to go to the side and see the aircraft.”

Elie Karan, a foreigner said his wife had told him not to board the aircraft but he decided against the warning. He however said he would rather go and get a refund and board another airline to make his trip to Abuja.

A passenger, who simply identified herself as Nkechi, said the entire cabin was full of smoke and heat after the incident and every passenger on board was praying for safe landing which they eventually got.

Jone, a Briton, who was on board, however, praised the pilot for successfully landing the plane.

Accidents may occur when a bird hits the windscreen or flies into the engine of an aircraft.

It could cost an airline as much as $36,000 to replace an engine blade of an aircraft. The cost could be more if the more than six blades in an engine are damaged in the process.

An airborne aircraft which loses its two engines to a bird strike would have to depend on the ingenuity and expertise of the pilot to get a safe landing.

The Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Jacky Hathiramani, said all the 97 passengers and crew on board the flight were disembarked safely.

He said: “Dana Air Flight 9J 995, en route Abuja from Lagos, suffered a bird strike shortly after take-off and, in line with the airline’s safety and service policy, the Captain made an emergency landing at MMIA, Lagos.”

via Compass.