BY GODWIN OBI
The recent near-crash incidents plaguing the aviation industry has raised safety concerns among flying passengers.
Frontline Reporters gathered that some passengers had turned to road travel for fear of being caught in a tragedy. However, other regular air travellers said they had placed their lives in God’s hands and always prayed before boarding their flights.
2024 plagued by turbulence
Many have described 2024 as a turbulent year for the aviation industry.
Between 2024 and January 2025, there have been repeated crashes and near-crash incidents despite efforts by aviation regulators to improve Nigeria’s standing in global aviation circles.
In the 13 months from January 2024 to January 2025, at least 10 incidents have drawn public and regulatory attention.
For instance, apart from the crash of a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter that killed eight people, a Dana MD-82 aircraft skidded off the runway in April, prompting the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, to order the airline’s suspension for a thorough audit. Since then, Dana Air has been likened to a company on the brink of extinction.
On May 11, 2024, approximately three weeks later, an Embraer 145 aircraft operated by XeJet Airlines skidded off Runway 18L at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The aircraft, registered as 5N-BZZ, had departed from Abuja with 52 passengers and crew members.
Upon landing, it veered off the runway and came to a stop on the grass verge. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
In response, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau deployed a team to the site to conduct an investigation. Additionally, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria temporarily closed Runway 18L to facilitate emergency response efforts and ensure safety.
Soon after, a series of technical failures in other airlines further highlighted concerns about runway safety and aircraft operations in Nigeria.
On November 4, 2024, an Air Peace flight was forced to return to Benin after experiencing a technical issue shortly after takeoff.
The aircraft, en route to Abuja, detected the problem mid-flight, prompting the crew to make an emergency landing back in Benin. There were, however, no injuries as the airline announced an investigation into the cause of the failure to prioritise passenger and crew safety.
In early December 2024, a Max Air aircraft bound for Abuja was forced to make an emergency landing after one of its engines caught fire just 10 minutes after taking off from Maiduguri, Borno State. The aircraft, carrying several passengers, quickly descended and returned safely to Maiduguri Airport.
Emergency services were on standby, and the aircraft landed safely without casualties. The incident prompted a thorough investigation by both Max Air and aviation authorities to determine the cause of the engine fire and prevent future occurrences.
Among those who expressed relief upon disembarking was the Deputy Governor of Borno, Usman Kadafur.
Also in December 2024, an Allied Air Cargo aircraft, with registration number 5N-JRT, suffered a tyre burst while landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The burst caused the aircraft to skid off the runway, but emergency response teams quickly intervened to ensure the safety of the crew and aircraft. Though there were no casualties, the incident prompted a temporary closure of the runway for investigation and repairs.
In a separate incident, 38 passengers and crew members on a United Airlines flight from Lagos to Washington Dulles sustained varying degrees of injury when the aircraft, after being airborne for about four hours, was forced to return to Lagos for an emergency landing due to a technical issue.
Passengers and crew received medical attention upon landing, while the injured were provided with further care. Authorities launched an investigation into the cause of the emergency, while United Airlines expressed regret over the incident and offered support to those affected.ational and communication equipment, except the Airfield Lighting Panel System, were serviceable,” the report said.
Similarly, the Federal Government, through the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, suspended Max Air’s operations following an incident involving one of its aircraft in Kano on Tuesday night.
Frontline Reporters reported that a Max Air Boeing 737-400 aircraft, with registration number 5N-MBD, suffered a tyre burst while landing at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport. The aircraft’s nosewheel was also reported to be damaged.
This marks the third incident involving Max Air in three months, raising fresh concerns over aviation safety.
The NCAA announced that the suspension, effective for three months, is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regulatory oversight.
It added that organisational risk assessments for all scheduled airlines, including Max Air, have commenced, with the exercise nearing completion.
Passengers express fear
In the wake of these incidents, passengers have raised concerns, seeking to understand the root causes while urging the NCAA and the Federal Government to prioritise aviation safety and prevent further accidents.
Speaking with our correspondent, a passenger aboard the United Airlines flight, who identified herself simply as Mrs Olasupo, expressed grave concerns for her safety and prayed for divine intervention in the aviation sector.
Recounting her experience, she said, “It was about two hours into the flight. I was sleeping when I was suddenly jolted awake by a ‘drop’ in the plane, similar to the feeling of riding a roller coaster. The pilot later regained control. Initially, he announced that we would land in Ghana but then decided to return to Lagos. When we got to the hotel, some passengers seated at the rear of the plane mentioned hearing a loud ‘bang’ before the sudden drop, though I didn’t hear it. Jesus will save those of us flying different planes.”
Another passenger, Aina Mathins, who had just arrived in Nigeria from the United States, revealed that she had planned to visit six months earlier but postponed her trip due to her fear of flying.
She acknowledged that aviation challenges existed worldwide but accused Nigerian regulators and operators of not taking safety issues seriously.
“It’s not that other countries don’t have aviation issues, but professionals there take their responsibilities seriously, unlike the jokers handling aviation in Nigeria,” she said.
“How can I be reading online that a stranger was found in the toilet of an aircraft? Who will explain that to me? I’ve been flying for 26 years, and I’ve never heard of something like that before. Our aviation handlers must rise to the occasion and stop taking cosmetic approaches to these issues.”
Like Mathins, Mrs Ayodele Adeojo also called for prayers for the aviation sector
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