Aircraft incident in Kano under NSIB investigation

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched a probe into an aviation incident involving a Hawker 800XP jet at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano State.

The aircraft, bearing registration number 5N-ISB and operated by Flybird Aircraft Management Services Limited, was involved in the occurrence on Sunday, according to a statement issued in Abuja by the NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Bimbo Oladeji.

Oladeji said the jet took off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 9:20 a.m. on a non-scheduled domestic passenger service to Kano.

“There were eight persons on board, comprising two cockpit crew members, one cabin crew member, and five passengers,” she said.

She explained that as the aircraft prepared to land in Kano, the crew detected an abnormal landing gear indication and sought permission to carry out several low approaches over the runway so that air traffic controllers could visually assess the landing gear.

“During the approach phase into Kano, the flight crew reported a landing gear indication anomaly and requested multiple low passes over the runway to allow air traffic controllers to visually confirm the landing gear position.

“Kano Tower confirmed on each low pass that all three landing gears appeared fully extended,” Oladeji said.

She added that the aircraft later lined up for landing on Runway 06 and touched down at about 10:34 a.m., but during the landing roll, the nose landing gear gave way.

“All eight persons on board disembarked safely, with no injuries reported,” she said.

Oladeji disclosed that the bureau immediately deployed its Go-Team to the scene, noting that investigators would review the aircraft’s systems, operational procedures, maintenance history and crew actions to establish what led to the incident.

“The bureau wishes to assure the public that this investigation is not conducted to apportion blame or liability, but to identify safety issues and prevent future occurrences,” she said.

“Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.”