WHAT would have been a tragic air disaster was averted, Monday, when an Arik aircraft scheduled to fly Enugu to Abuja by 8.50am almost crashed four minutes after take-off from Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu.
The over 100 passengers on board would have perished if the pilot had not turned round and made an emergency landing.
Captain of the Boeing 737-800 aircraft with registration number F-MJK, whose name could not be ascertained, was quoted to have said he turned back to the airport when he noticed that the right engine had failed.
Meanwhile, speaking to aviation correspondents in Lagos on the incident, Dr. Harold Demuren, Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, said the air return was necessitated by the indicator in the cockpit, adding that it was the best option the pilot took to avoid a fatal accident.
He said: “The pilot took a precautionary measure to ensure safety of the passengers.”
Spokesman of Arik Air, Mr. Ola Banji, said: “What happened was that the captain noticed an indication light on and had to make an air return as a precautionary measure.
“At no time was the lives of the passengers put in danger.”
However, NCAA has already grounded the aircraft until it is certified to fly again.
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