The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released a preliminary report on the Dana Airlines MD-82 aircraft that veered off the runway at Murtala Muhammed International Airport on April 23, 2024.
The incident occurred shortly after the aircraft, registration 5N-BKI and operating as flight DAN0352, arrived from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
According to the preliminary report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the aircraft, which was operating as DAN0352 from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, touched down on Runway 18L at 09:38 hours.
However, during the landing roll, the aircraft’s nose landing gear collapsed, causing the plane to veer off the runway and come to a stop in the grass verge.
The 89 people on board, including six crew members, were evacuated safely without any injuries. The report says, the incident occurred during daylight hours with visual meteorological conditions prevailing.
According to the NSIB, the investigation is ongoing, but initial findings indicate that the flight crew had selected the main landing gear down, but the nose landing gear indication light remained red. The crew had recycled the gear selection up and down, but the red light remained until touchdown.
The report also reveals that the crew had consulted the aircraft’s quick reference handbook and carried out the emergency gear extension checklist, but the red indication light remained.
The investigation is still ongoing, with further actions including analysis of flight recorder recordings, gathering of additional evidence, and inspection of related aircraft systems and components.