…Traces Cause Of Incident To Failed Nose Landing Gear
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau(NSIB) has released the preliminary report on the serious incident involving an MD-82 aircraft operated by Dana Air Limited with nationality and registration marks 5N-BKI, which occurred on Runway 18L of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on April 23, 2024.
According to the NSIB report, the aircraft was airworthy as the Certificate of Airworthiness: was still valid till May 1, 2024 and that the Captain. And the First officers were qualified and type rated to fly MD-82 aircraft.
The report which was released yesterday by NSIB said that the Capt . and the First Officer followed the procedures in ensuring that the aircraft landed safely but that the Nose Landing Gear(NLG) continues to indicate read
According to the report, the crew stated in the post-occurrence interview that they consulted the MD82 Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) and carried out the QRH items but that despite that the NLG indicator remained red.
The report said that at about 09:38h, DAN0352 touched down runway 18L and that the landing was soft and that during the Landing Roll, the Captain deployed Speed Brakes, after which Thrust Reversers were deployed, and the nose of the aircraft was lowered.
The report added that at this point, the crew stated that severe vibration was accompanied by a loud noise from the NLG area, adding that on reaching 80 knots, the Captain noticed the collapse of the NLG, followed by a loss of directional control and the aircraft then veered off to the left and exited the runway at about 2,094 m from the threshold.
The NSIB report said that it continued in the grass verge, crossed the paved Link 6 and stopped at about 2,343 m from the threshold, about 36 m from the runway centreline.
The report added that upon the final stop of the aircraft, the Captain shut down the engines and commanded evacuation through the Forward Service Door due to safety concerns on the Main Entry Door side and the Cabin Crew opened the Forward Service Door, and the Escape Slide was deployed.
NSIB stated that all occupants evacuated without any injury.
On the damage to the aircraft , the preliminary investigation indicated that the following damage was observed : there is distress to lower forward skin, the NLG lights were broken, the Galley Drain was deformed, an Antenna was broken and the NLG Wheel Well Aft Door.
Though the report is a preliminary one, it however pooped the position of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, who claimed that because of other incidents in the past involving the airlines, directed the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to suspend the airline’s operations, a situation which generated criticism of the minister as he was seen by that directive to interfering in the regulatory body’s job.
Stakeholders in the sector felt that it was not in the purview of the Minister to direct the NCAA to suspend the airline’s operations, whether it was an accident, serious incident or a minor one.
Recall that Dana Air MD-82 aircraft with registration number 5N-BKI with 89 passengers and 6 crew flying from Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport(NAA), Abuja to Lagos on landing veered of the 18 Left Runway of the Murtala Muhammed Airport(MMA),Lagos, a situation that resulted in the suspension of the airlines entire operations by the Aviation Minister and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo.
About The Author
