5 survive as cargo plane skids off runway at Abuja airport

By: Amaechi Okoro

On the morning of December 11, 2024, an Allied Air Cargo aircraft registered 5N-JRT skidded off Runway 22 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Nigeria. The incident, which occurred shortly after the aircraft had landed, could have been catastrophic, but fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported.

While the cargo plane was heavily affected, with damage sustained due to a tyre burst, the crew and five people aboard were safely evacuated. This unsettling event led to the temporary closure of the affected runway, causing significant disruptions to flight schedules, including several delayed departures as authorities worked to clear the runway and restore operations.

The Allied Air Cargo aircraft was arriving in Abuja when it experienced the tire burst during its landing on Runway 22, one of the key runways at the airport. The aircraft, carrying cargo and five souls on board, was in the process of safely touching down after its flight when the tyre burst triggered an unexpected loss of control. As a result, the plane veered off the runway, skidding along the surface and leaving a trail of concern for aviation authorities.

Fortunately, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) responded promptly to the emergency. The airport’s emergency response team was on the scene, and within minutes, all passengers and crew members had been evacuated to safety without any injury.

It was confirmed that the passengers were then taken to the FAAN clinic for further checks, which was part of the standard safety protocol. Despite the severity of the incident, authorities praised the swift evacuation and the fact that no one on board had been injured.

In a statement issued today, Obiageli Orah, the FAAN Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, provided further details about the incident. She explained that the plane had suffered a tyre burst upon landing, leading it to skid off the runway. “At 10:05 am on December 11, 2024, an Allied Air Cargo aircraft with registration number 5N-JRT skidded off Runway 22 at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja with five souls on board, with no reported injury,” Orah stated.

She also confirmed that the airport’s emergency response team was actively on the ground, alongside accident investigators. They were working tirelessly to clear the runway and secure the area. According to the statement, the runway was expected to be reopened for operations as soon as possible, though flight delays continued throughout the day.

FAAN, in its statement, also expressed appreciation to the aviation community and the general public for their patience and understanding during the temporary shutdown of the runway. Despite the fact that there were no casualties, the incident has raised alarm regarding the safety of cargo aircraft operations in Nigeria and the state of maintenance protocols in the aviation sector.

Incidents like the one that occurred on December 11 are not unprecedented, though they remain relatively rare. The question that inevitably arises from such events is: could this tragedy have been avoided? Several factors could have contributed to the aircraft’s inability to land smoothly, leading to the tyre burst and the subsequent skid.

Aircraft Maintenance and Inspection: A tyre burst during landing is often caused by wear and tear, improper maintenance, or inadequate inspection of critical parts before takeoff. Regular inspection and maintenance of aircraft tyres are essential to ensure their ability to withstand the stress of landing. This incident highlights the need for increased scrutiny in routine checks, particularly for cargo planes that may face additional pressure due to the weight of their cargo.

Runway Surface Quality: While the immediate cause of the incident was the tyre burst, the condition of the runway surface should also be considered. Runways must be regularly maintained to prevent issues such as uneven surfaces or debris, which could worsen an aircraft’s ability to regain control after a tyre failure. In this instance, while the tyre burst was the primary cause, an uneven or poorly maintained runway could have intensified the risk of a skid.

Weather Conditions: Although weather conditions were not mentioned as a direct cause of the accident, they are a critical factor in many runway incidents. Wet or slippery runway conditions can significantly increase the risk of accidents after a tyre burst. Had the runway been wet or had adverse weather been a contributing factor, the loss of control could have been worse.

Pilot Training and Response: Another factor that could have played a role is pilot training and the ability to react swiftly during an emergency. When handling a tire burst or a sudden mechanical failure, a well-trained crew must know the correct procedures to bring the aircraft to a halt. The swift evacuation of passengers and crew members indicated that the flight crew had been adequately trained to handle emergencies.

Air Traffic Control Coordination: Close coordination between the air traffic control (ATC) tower and the aircraft is essential during the landing phase. ATC is responsible for ensuring safe distances between planes, as well as guiding aircraft to their designated landing zones. In the case of an emergency such as a tyre burst, prompt communication with ATC could help the crew in navigating the aircraft towards safe outcomes.

The incident disrupted operations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, as Runway 22 had to be temporarily shut down. With no immediate clear-up, a backlog of departing flights accumulated, causing delays and frustration among passengers.

The closure of the runway also prompted emergency measures to be taken by the airport authority. Although the runway was expected to be cleared within a few hours, such incidents can have a long-term impact on airport traffic, especially during peak travel periods. While efforts were underway to reopen the runway, passengers were urged to remain patient, as the safety of the aircraft and passengers remained the highest priority.

The skidding of the Allied Air Cargo aircraft is a stark reminder of the fragile state of Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure. While there are safety protocols in place to manage emergencies, the frequency of accidents like this one highlights the ongoing challenges within the industry.

This incident calls for an urgent reevaluation of aviation safety protocols, maintenance practices, and the state of infrastructure at Nigerian airports.

The Nigerian aviation sector has faced numerous challenges over the years, ranging from inadequate safety measures to insufficient investment in aircraft and infrastructure. While air travel is critical to the economy, especially in a country as vast as Nigeria, there is a clear need for better oversight and adherence to international standards in aviation safety.

The crash-landing of the Allied Air Cargo aircraft at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport serves as a reminder of the importance of rigorous safety measures in the aviation industry. The fact that all five passengers and crew were safely evacuated without injuries is a positive outcome, but the incident underscores several critical issues that need to be addressed to prevent similar accidents in the future.

A thorough investigation into the exact causes of the tyre burst and subsequent skidding should be carried out to determine if lapses in maintenance or oversight played a role. In addition, stakeholders within the Nigerian aviation industry must take proactive steps to ensure that safety standards are maintained, not only to prevent accidents but also to reassure the traveling public about the safety of air travel within the country.

The Nigerian aviation sector’s ability to modernize and adhere to global safety standards will be key to preventing such incidents and ensuring a more reliable and safer air travel experience.

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