Aviation: How 33 passengers were evacuated safely at airplane engine fire −Overland

*Overland Airways commends aviation regulatory agencies as it relates how 33 passengers onboard the flight, which engine caught fire mid-air Wednesday night, were safely disembarked at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Ariport in Lagos

Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

Overland Airways has stated that 33 passengers aboard its Lagos-bound aircraft from Ilorin safely disembarked row by row Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in accordance with post COVID-19 procedures after the Aircraft came to a halt on the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, Runway 18 Right.

ConsumerConnect gathered what appeared a major air accident was averted when an Overland aircraft made an emergency landing around 7.50.p.m. at the Lagos Airport, in Ikeja, from Ilorin the International Airport, in Kwara State.

The incident happened on Wednesday night when one of the engines caught fire mid-air as the plane was approaching the MMIA in Lagos.

Overland Airways, while confirming the incident in a statement, noted that 33 passengers onboard the flight were safely disembarked at the international Wing.

It was learnt the Pilot-in-Command of the affected ATR-42 Aircraft had declared a “May Day”, which in aviation parlance implies an emergency situation while authorities at the Lagos Airport had activated all emergency procedures as the crew tried to manoeuvre the plane.

The airline also stated passengers remained calm all through the process.

The airline said, “Overland Airways wishes to inform the general public that its flight OF1188 from Ilorin to Lagos experienced an unusual high turbine temperature on one of its engines today, Wednesday, June 15, 2022, around 7:50p.m.

“This occurred in the approach phase of flight and the aircraft landed very safely as the Crew skillfuly implemented their standard procedures for such abnormal situations.

“All 33 passengers remained calm through the process and safely disembarked row by row in accordance with post COVID-19 procedures after the Aircraft came to a halt on the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Runway 18 Right. No passenger was hurt in any way.

“Overland Airways salutes the professional interventions of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Accident Investigation Bureau Nigeria (AIB-N), which were very prompt and reassuring.”

The Airline added: “Overland Airways regrets any inconvenience to its passengers and assures the travelling public of its full commitment to safety of its services and passengers.”