The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded a Rano Air aircraft, registered as 5N-BZY, in Kano State after an engine failure was detected mid-flight.
According to the NCAA, the flight, en route from Kano to Sokoto, was forced to return shortly after takeoff due to a malfunction in engine 1. Smoke was observed in both the cabin and cockpit, causing panic among passengers and crew.
The development was confirmed in a press release issued by the authority on Monday.
Upon landing, the smoke dissipated and the aircraft was without an immediate incident.
The NCAA instructed that the aircraft will remain grounded until the conclusion of investigations into the cause of the glitch.
The authority noted that the aircraft that was scheduled to also airlift passengers out of Sokoto had been cancelled.
At the time of filing this report the aircraft 5N-BYZ is still on the ground with engineers planning to work on it.
The aviation regulatory body said it prioritises safety, ensuring the records are clear.
The statement partially reads, “The Rano aircraft 5N-BZY experienced a failure on its engine 1. Smoke was noticed in the cabin and flight deck.
Oxygen masks were donned. The appropriate safety protocols were initiated on the ground for landing. Smoke dissipated. The pilot safely landed the aircraft without incident.
“More advanced countries have worse air incidents than Nigeria because, here, flights will get cancelled if there is the slightest safety concern.”
Victor Foyea, head of the Directorate of Airworthiness at the NCAA, stated that oxygen masks were deployed, and all necessary safety procedures were activated to ensure a secure landing.