Regulators initiate probe into Dana Air’s safety procedures after Lagos runway incident

Following a recent runway incident involving a Dana Air aircraft at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, regulators have launched an investigation into the airline’s safety procedures.

Acting Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, confirmed that both the agency and the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) have commenced investigations into the incident. He described the event as follows: “The Air Traffic Controller tower noticed that the nose wheel of the aircraft retracted, the nose of the aircraft collapsed, and the aircraft veered off the runway into the grassy area.”

The Dana Air flight, which departed from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, was carrying 83 passengers and six crew members. Fortunately, all occupants disembarked without injuries.

In a statement issued via its official account @DanaAir, Dana Air’s management acknowledged the incident and announced that the aircraft involved has been grounded for investigation. The airline expressed gratitude to airport authorities and its crew for their swift response and assured passengers that safety remains its top priority.

Captain Najomo affirmed the commencement of NSIB’s investigation and reiterated the NCAA’s commitment to a safe aviation sector. He stated, “The Authority will be looking to implement the safety recommendations expected from the NSIB investigation while it carries out its own in-house safety assessment of the occurrence.”

This incident underscores the importance of stringent safety measures within the aviation industry, with regulatory bodies and airlines working together to uphold safety standards for all passengers and crew.