120 Passengers Escape Death By Whiskers As Kaduna-Bound Aero Aircraft Develops Fault Mid-Air

What would been a national tragedy was averted on Friday evening after over 120 passengers, including the Director, Muslim Rights Concern, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, escaped death when an Aero Contractors Airline Flight 180 from Lagos to Kaduna developed technical fault mid-air.

It was gathered that the plane suddenly lost altitude, 20 minutes after it took off from the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, which forced it to wobble in the air for over one hour before it was eventually diverted to Abuja.


A thankful Akintola, told newsmen that the flight took off from Lagos at exactly 6.30pm and eventually landed in Abuja around 9:30pm.


He said, “The plane lost altitude 20 minutes after takeoff. We had to make use of the oxygen masks. We saw smoke outside the plane, probably coming from the engine compartment.

“At this time, the whole plane was thrown into commotion. Many passengers screamed and some fainted. Prayers upon prayers were offered. Some shouted Allah, others Jesus.”

Speaking further, the muslim cleric said it was in the midst of the confusion that the crew, whom he lauded for their professionalism and unusual calmness, announced that the plane would be diverted to Abuja.

He said, “While the pilot was making the announcement of the flight diversion, I noticed that his voice was trembling. He told us that Abuja was 120 miles away and that we would land in 25 minutes. But we were not sure we would make it.


“In fact, I quickly recited the Kalimah (the Quranic invocation of the oneness of Allah), believing that the end had come,” Akintola added in messages to New Mail.

Akintola said, “As I am talking to you, I am now in a taxi taking me to Kaduna. They said they wanted to repair the plane and that we should wait so it takes us to Kaduna. Allah forbids. They asked how many of us wanted to disembark and almost everybody came out.

“When the aircraft wanted to land in Abuja, the tyres failed to come out on time and that again caused more commotion among passengers. At last, we landed at about 7.35, about 50 minutes of trauma mid-air.”


A statement by the airline read, “Aero confirms that there was depressurisation in the aircraft cabin leading to the dropping of oxygen mask. And since Aero has a maintenance facility in Abuja, the flight to Kaduna was diverted to Abuja this evening to fix the problem.”



The General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. Fan Ndubuoke, said he was not aware of the incident at the moment.

Source: Punch