Allied Air’s plane crash-landed while on CBN duty – NSIB reveals
Nigeria’s Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, has disclosed that the Allied Air Boeing 737-400 Freighter that crash-landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on December 11, 2024, was scheduled to collect cargo for the Central Bank of Nigeria.
NSIB made this known in a preliminary report released on Saturday, about two months after it commenced an investigation into the incident.
“On 11 December 2024, a Boeing 737-400F aircraft with nationality and registration marks 5N-JRT, operated by Allied Air Limited was on a positioning flight to pick up cargo for the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN,” the report read.
The report stated that the aircraft took off from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at 09:11 and began its descent into Abuja at 09:44.
“The aircraft had arrived from Douala earlier in the morning. The aircraft was scheduled for six sectors: Lagos-Abuja, Abuja-Sokoto, Sokoto-Abuja, Abuja-Yola, Yola-Abuja and Abuja-Lagos, with the same flight crew,” it added.
According to the report, though all occupants escaped unharmed, the structural integrity of the cabin and cockpit remained intact, adding that all occupants exited safely through the forward main door without injuries.
It also weighed in on the flight crew and aircraft status, saying, both the Captain and First Officer held valid licenses and medical certificates.
NSIB reiterated that the aircraft had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and had performed 101 landings since November 1, 2024, 85 of which used Flaps 15.
It also explained that weather condition at the time was deemed not to have contributed to the incident.
“Weather conditions were favourable with no adverse meteorological factors reported. All navigational and communication equipment, except the Airfield Lighting Panel System, were serviceable,” the report said.
