Nigerians Express Concerns as Aircraft Near-Miss Incidents Increase

In the past fortnight, Nigerians are growing increasingly anxious about the surge in near-miss incidents within the country’s aviation sector, heightening fears of potential plane crashes.

Within this short period, the nation’s aviation industry faced two distressing events. On Sunday, a Boeing 737 Jet, registered as 5N-BYQ and operated by Aero Contractors Airlines, crash-landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, described by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau as a ‘serious accident.’ Similarly, a private HS25B aircraft, managed by Flint Aero, narrowly averted disaster last week during a crash-landing on the Ibadan runway, with passengers, including Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, narrowly escaping harm.

These incidents follow a recent warning from the Nigerian Aviation Authority (NCAA) to pilots and airline operators to exercise caution due to hazardous weather conditions during the dry season. Furthermore, just six months ago, 143 passengers aboard a Max Air aircraft (registration No: 5N-MBD) survived a crash-landing at NAIA, raising concerns about aviation safety despite assurances from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to investigate these occurrences.

While no fatalities have been reported in these incidents, they have instilled fear among Nigerians about the overall safety of air travel. Godwin Ezeokafor, a frequent flyer on the Abuja-Lagos route, expressed worry about the state of Nigeria’s aviation sector and called for a substantial overhaul to prevent potential disasters.

Passenger Abdullahi Sani emphasized the need for travelers to be discerning when choosing airlines, hinting that some Nigerian carriers might pose safety risks.

Capt. John Ojikutu, CEO of Centurion Aviation Security and Safety Consult, stressed the importance of regulatory agencies like the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Aviation Authority (NCAA), and Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) fulfilling their responsibilities to ensure aviation safety. He pointed out possible factors, such as runway conditions, airline operator actions, and pilot competency, that could contribute to such incidents.

Responding to inquiries, Tunji Oketunbi, NSIB spokesperson, urged caution against premature speculation, noting that investigations were ongoing. He expressed confidence in the safety of Nigeria’s airspace but emphasized the need for continuous improvement in regulations and operational standards.

As Nigerians await the results of investigations, concerns persist regarding the need for rigorous safety measures and comprehensive reforms within the aviation industry to avert potential disasters and restore public confidence.