An aircraft on Friday evening skidded off the runway at Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos. The aircraft, said to be one of United Nigerian Airlines with registration number 5NBWY, skidded off at about 6:48 p.m. while trying to land under very high rainfall.
The arked NUA 058 was said to be coming to Lagos from Owerri when it overshot the runway with about 200 metres. However, no casualty was recorded.
Causes of the incident apart from the wet runway remained unknown while passengers were being evacuated as at the time of filing this report.
A source, who pleaded anonymity said, the Airfield was temporarily closed but reopened at 8:10 p.m.
“At about 20:00hrs, passengers were evacuated from the affected aircraft, with no casualty.”
Confirming this, a post by the National Emergency Management Agency on X (formerly Twitter) disclosed that 51 passengers and four crew members were onboard.
“A United Nigerian Airline 51 passengers and 4 Crew United Nigeria airline with registration number 5NBWY skidded off the local runway while trying to land under a very high rainfall at about 1848 hours.
“All passengers evacuated successfully without casualty The airspace has been opened for operations now,” the post read.
Reacting to the development, United Airlines, the aircraft, with registration number U5 0513, encountered aquaplaning due to heavy rainfall during its descent at Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos on Friday.
A statement by the Head of Corporate Communications, Achilleus-Chud Uchegbu, said the flight had successfully operated and landed at its destination, having arrived from the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri, Imo State.
However, upon touching down in the downpour, the plane’s tires lost grip on the wet surface, resulting in the skid off the runway.
The statement reads,” A United Nigeria Airlines flight U5 0513 operated by its aircraft with registration 5N-BWY upon landing at Murtala Mohammed Airport Lagos aquaplaned due to a downpour.
“The aircraft which was coming in from the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport Owerri operated and landed normally but skidded off the runway upon landing. All Passengers have also been safely evacuated alongside their luggage. No passenger was hurt in the incident.
Relevant authorities have been informed about the incident.
“Passenger safety is of utmost priority to United Nigeria Airlines. We assure our passengers that we value their safety and will not compromise on it. We shall continually work, like we have always done, to ensure that our passengers are always united with their destinations safely.”
