Tag: MMIA

AIB Investigates Plane Collision At International Airport, Lagos

A file photo of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
A file photo of the front view of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, south-west Nigeria.

 

The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has launched an investigation into a collision involving two planes at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

The General Manager of Public Affairs at the Bureau, Tunji Oketunbi, confirmed this in a draft statement on Thursday.

He explained that the accident which occurred on Wednesday involved two planes operated by the Middle East and Turkish Airlines.

The Turkish cargo plane was said to have been parked at the international apron when the Middle East airbus was taxing before it ran into it.

According to Oketunbi, the plane on motion cut through the tail cone of the other aircraft and damaged part of its right horizontal stabiliser.

He added that all passengers on the Middle East plane, thereafter, disembarked from the aircraft without any injury or fatality.

AIB
A logo of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB).

 

The Bureau’s spokesman warned against pre-empting the cause of the incident until a formal report was issued.

Wednesday’s incident was said to have sparked an uproar at the airport.

Read the full statement below:

DRAFT PRESS RELEASE ON TURKISH AIRLINE AND MIDDLE EAST AIRLINE GROUND COLLISION OCCURRENCE

Accident Investigation Bureau has been notified and has commenced investigation into a serious incident involving an Airbus A330-243 with the Nationality registration Marks OD-MEA operated by Middle East Airline and a Boeing 777 with Nationality and registration Marks TC-LJC operated by Turkish Airline, which occurred on the 29th July 2020 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The Turkish cargo aircraft was parked at the international apron when the Middle East airbus was taxing before it ran into it, cutting through the tail cone and damaged part of the right horizontal stabilizer of the Turkish aircraft.

All passengers on the Middle East Airline had to disembark with no injury or fatality.

The Bureau will appreciate that the general public and press do not pre-empt the cause of the serious incident until a formal report is issued.

Kindly contact us on our official communication channels:Mobile App: AIB-NWebsite: www.aib.gov.ngTwitter: @aibnigeriaInstagram: @AIB_NigeriaFacebook: AIB NigeriaEmail: [email protected]/WhatsApp: +234807 709 0900, 0807 709 0928

Tunji Oketunbi

General Manager, Public Affairs

Accident Investigation Bureau.

FG Investigates Impounded British Aircraft

A file photo of the Minister of Aviation. Photo: [email protected]

 

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has begun an investigation into the reason why an aircraft belonging to a British company was operating commercial flights into the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The aircraft, a legacy 600 with registration G-PRFX, was impounded by the Federal Government for flouting the country’s ban on airspace amid COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika during Presidential Task Force briefing on COVID-19 in Abuja, on Monday, said the pilot of the aircraft will be subjected to 14 days of quarantine.

He also disclosed that the company operating the aircraft is based in Westminister in the United Kingdom.

READ ALSO: PTF Extends Gradual Easing Of COVID-19 Lockdown By Two Weeks

The Minister had earlier announced on Sunday that the company, Flair Aviation, was given the approval to conduct humanitarian flights but was caught operating commercial flights.

Sirika, who made the announcement via his official Twitter handle said that in addition to the confiscation, a “maximum penalty” would be imposed on the company.

The NCAA has, consequently, stressed that the country’s airports remain under lockdown to commercial flight operations as part of measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Nigeria Customs Intercept $8m, Arrest Airport Staff In Lagos

 

The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted about $8,065,615 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.

This was disclosed by the Customs Comptroller-General, Hameed Ali, at a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday.

He added that the cash which was stashed in a car was intercepted while it was about to be loaded into an aircraft.

READ ALSO: Air Force Takes Over MMIA After Union Clash With Airport Security

Mr Ali said a suspect, the driver of the vehicle who is a staff of Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), has been arrested in connection with the alleged money laundering.

He, however, did not provide details of the aircraft but added that the money was stashed inside a vehicle belonging to NAHCO.

He further said investigations are on to reveal those behind the Laundering.

 

188 Nigeria Returnees Arrive MMIA From South Africa

 

The Air Peace flight MEN2759 conveying 188 Nigerians from South Africa has arrived at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos at 9:35 pm local time.

The aircraft which departed the OR Tambo International Airport in South Africa, after an eight-hour delay, had on board, 188 Nigerians.

The evacuation of Nigerians follows an order by President Muhammadu Buhari on September 9, 2019, to evacuate Nigerians who are willing to return home from South Africa, after several xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals, including Nigerians.

READ ALSO: Xenophobia: Our Plans For Nigerians Returning From South Africa – Abike Dabiri

The President gave this order after he received the report of the special envoy sent to South Africa to convey a Special Message to President Cyril Ramaphosa over the recent xenophobic attacks in the country.

While some people were turned back over inadequate documentation for travelling with children, about seven were detained for allegedly entering the country illegally.

Plane Loses Tyre While Landing In Lagos Airport

A near-mishap was recorded today at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos when an Air Peace flight lost one of its tyres while landing.

The aircraft, with 133 passengers and six crew members on board was on approach to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos from Port Harcourt.

READ ALSO: Air Peace Plane Overshoots Runway In Port Harcourt

AIB, however, confirmed the incident to Channels Television noting that the aircraft involved was a Boeing 737-300 with the registration marks 5N-BQO and operated by Air Peace Limited.

“From the information provided, the aircraft nose wheel collapsed on landing on the runway (18R) and the nose wheel gear tire sheared off.

“The AIB was informed of a minor injury but no fatality.

“Our team of safety investigators have commenced investigations,” the statement signed by the Commissioner of AIB, Akin Olateru read in part.

AIB also called for support from members of the public with any video clip, relevant evidence, or information that can aid their investigation.

 

See more photos of the incident below…

 

Stowaway: FAAN Suspends Four Heads Of Aviation Security

 

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has suspended indefinitely, the Aviation Security unit heads.

This is to allow investigations into the incident of an airside incursion at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos on Friday.

Earlier on, a man was sighted trying to climb into an Azman aircraft waiting for clearance from Air Traffic Controllers.

According to the General Manager, Corporate Affairs of FAAN, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, replacements of the affected officers have been detailed in the interim.

“Following the unfortunate airside incursion at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos today, July 19, 2019, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has suspended indefinitely the Aviation Security unit heads who were on duty when the incident occurred, pending completion of the ongoing investigation into the regrettable security infringement.

“The affected officers are the Airport Chief of Security, Mamman Mohammed Sadiku, International Terminal Security Officer, Oni Adedamola Abiodun, Head of Department Domestic Terminal 2, Owotor Kenneth Okezie and Head of Department Domestic Terminal 1, Badejo Adebowale Ayodele.

“In the interim, a General Manager of the Authority, Dr. Anne Enyinnaya-Egbadon, has been detailed to take charge of security at the airport. Other affected officers have also been replaced.”

RELATED: Man Arrested After Climbing Aircraft In Lagos Airport

The statement added that the arrangement will help to ensure a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident.

“The current arrangement is aimed at ensuring an efficient and thorough investigation towards the recovery and sustenance of the airport’s proactive security integrity.

“FAAN views this breach as a serious security concern and has commenced an investigation to ascertain the remote and immediate causes of this incident to forestall future occurrence,” it read.

FAAN Shuts MMIA APRON Gate 1 For Repairs

 

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has announced the shutting down of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport’s Apron Gate 1 and some sections of Taxiway F to human and vehicular traffic for six weeks.

The closure which is effective June 7, 2019, is to enable the contractor handling the construction of the new terminal (China Civil Construction Company) link the proposed apron under construction to the existing one.

READ ALSO: Katsina Governor Appoints Six Permanent Secretaries

In a statement by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Henrietta Yakubu, the authority called for orderliness and safety of the operators while the repairs are ongoing.

“The Authority has developed and deployed specific procedures for vehicular movements and officers of the Aviation Security department have been mobilized to ensure compliance.

“FAAN will like to solicit the understanding and cooperation of all concerned towards ensuring a safe airside for aircraft movement and personnel safety during the construction”.

 

FAAN To Carry Out Routine Maintenance At MMIA

FAAN Constitutes Panel To Investigate Fire Incident

 

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says it is set to carry out a routine maintenance at the D Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Yakubu Henrietta.

According to the statement, the maintenance will take place between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm on Saturday November 24, 2018.

Consequently, all flight operations at the D Wing will be diverted to the E Wing while the maintenance is ongoing.

IOM Evacuates 186 More Nigerians From Libya

 

The International Organisation for Migrants (IOM) has evacuated 186 more Nigerians who voluntarily returned from Libya.

The returnees were received in two different flights within 24 hours by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja.

The first flight with 154 returnees arrived the airport at 8:45p.m on Thursday aboard a Chartered Libya Airline with registration number 5A-DMG, they were received at the Cargo wing of the MMIA.

The second flight conveying 32 returnees landed earlier at International wing of MMIA Ikeja on Wednesday morning at 3:45 a.m.

READ ALSO: JOHESU Suspends Strike, Members To Resume On Monday

After profiling of the returnees on each exercise, 99 female adults and 75 male adults with eight infants and four children were indicated.

The Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Yakubu Suleiman revealed that the new arrivals were those residents in Libya but voluntarily decided to return home when the opportunity came from IOM.

He added that the attempt to earn better life in Libya was futile, hence their decision to return home.

Suleiman implored the returnees to engage in meaningful and decent activities as they cannot be treated as second-class citizens in their homeland.

The Federal Government policies, he noted, are available to give equal opportunities to every Nigerians to make maximum use of their potential amidst various incentives.

Already, IOM has started training those that had arrived the country in the past in batches on reintegration exercise.

Airport Workers Protest Against Concession Of Airports

Workers of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) are currently protesting at the Muritala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

The protest by the aviation workers is against the proposed concession plan of Lagos and Abuja international airports by the Federal Government.

The protesting workers are led by the National a Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the National Union of Pensioners (NUP), among others.

The Federal Government last week Monday announced that it has finalised plans to concession the Lagos and Abuja airports. The Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made this announcement at the fifth Presidential Quarterly Business Forum in Abuja.

More details soon…

 

MMIA Lagos Gets Civil Aviation Certification

Murtala Muhammed International Airport , Lagos.

The Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos has been certified in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

This certification makes the airport the first airport in the country to be certified by the Nigerian civil aviation authority (NCAA) out of the 22 airports managed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

This development makes the airport a global safe airport for aircraft operations.

This certification comes after a 5-step rigorous as mandated by the ICAO.

The director- general of the NCAA, Muhtar Usman speaking at the certificate presentation ceremony in Lagos on Monday said the sustenance of the new status is very important.

Lagos Military Helicopter Accident Caused By Hydraulic Failure – Airforce

Nigerian Air Force HelicopterThe Nigerian Air Force says the accident reported earlier involving its Super Puma Helicopter was due to hydraulic failure while on taxi to the hanger.

According to the Air Force, the accident occurred at about 10:00am on Friday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos State, while the helicopter was returning to the Apron after the completion of a training mission.

“The helicopter suffered severe damage due to hydraulic failure while on taxi to the hanger,” the spokesman for the Air Force, Air Commodore Dele Alonge, said in a statement..

There was no casualty recorded.

But the main Rotor debris caused damage to some ground equipment, the statement further read.

A source within the airport community had earlier told Channels Television that the blade of the aircraft came off in flight.

Consequently, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal AN Amosu has ordered immediate investigation to unravel the circumstances that led to the accident.

The last time an aircraft accident occurred around the airport in Lagos was in October 2013, when an aircraft operated by Associated Airlines, crashed shortly after taking off from the domestic wing of the MMIA.