NCAA grounds Rano Air Flight after engine failure horror

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

In a dramatic mid-flight scare, Rano Air’s aircraft 5N-BZY, operating out of Sokoto, Nigeria, experienced a critical engine failure on June 30, 2025, prompting swift action from the crew and aviation authorities.

Smoke filled the cabin and flight deck, forcing pilots to don oxygen masks and initiate emergency protocols.

Demonstrating exceptional skill, the pilot safely landed the aircraft without incident, averting a potential disaster.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) swiftly grounded 5N-BZY, mandating a thorough investigation by the Directorate of Airworthiness to determine the cause of the engine malfunction.

The NCAA said the aircraft remains on the ground in Sokoto, with engineers meticulously inspecting the faulty engine to ensure no further risks.

Compounding the situation, the NCAA said a rescue aircraft intended to airlift stranded Sokoto passengers was unavailable, as it had already boarded passengers for an Abuja-Katsina flight.

It added that deboarding those passengers would have caused significant logistical issues, leading to the cancellation of the Sokoto flight.

The NCAA said affected passengers were left to make alternative arrangements, underscoring the ripple effects of the incident.

The NCAA’s decisive response highlights Nigeria’s stringent aviation safety standards.