Refrain From Speculations On United Airlines Serious Incident – Nuhu – Independent Newspaper Nigeria

LAGOS – Capt. Musa Nuhu, a one-time Nigeria’s consultant on the Worldwide Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), has admonished analysts within the Nigerian aviation trade to desist from speculations on the possible reason behind final week’s United Airways severe incident.

Nuhu additionally expressed confidence that the preliminary report by the Nigerian Security Investigation Bureau (NSIB) would unravel the speedy and distant causes of the intense incident.

Talking with our correspondent on cellphone, Nuhu defined that because it stands, any remark or assertion on the intense incident would quantity to hypothesis, stressing that pilots have been educated to deal with all kinds of emergencies.

He expressed the optimism that the NSIB would launch a really detailed report on the intense incident, which might forestall a recurrence sooner or later.

He, nonetheless, stated that with the magnitude of injured individuals onboard and the Worldwide Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 13 on Accident Investigation, the incident may very well be categorised as an accident, however referred to as for persistence from trade specialists so as to not jeopardise investigations.

He stated: “Typically, we expect we all know, however when the reviews come out, it’s completely completely different from what seems to have induced the accident or incident.

“The report was that the pilot had an emergency return to Lagos and a few folks acquired injured within the course of. Something we are saying now’s merely speculating. However, we must always know that pilots are educated to deal with all kinds of emergencies; we do go on refresher coaching each six months to evaluate updates and practise deal with all kinds of emergencies.

“We should always keep away from speculations; we must always await the NSIB to do their correct investigations and inform us what occurred. Often, I anticipate them in a few days to return out with their preliminary report on what they suppose occurred.

“ICAO Annex 13 on Accident Investigation, defines any plane accident that has severe harm or substantial harm. So, if there have been severe accidents as reported and confirmed, then, that is no extra an incident by the annex, moderately an accident.”

He, nonetheless, stated that accident or incident investigations could take longer, relying on the state of affairs.

He recalled that an investigation into the Boeing 747 plane accident that occurred in Japan, took a number of years to be concluded by investigators.

A United Airways had early morning on Friday, January 24, 2025, made an air return to the Murtala Muhammed Worldwide Airport (MMIA), Lagos, after growing technical fault mid-air.

No fewer than 39 passengers and crew members aboard the Boeing 787-8 plane have been severely and mildly injured.

The plane with the registration quantity: N27903, returned to base with the onboard 245 passengers, eight flight attendants, and three pilots on board.

Nuhu, nonetheless, declined to touch upon the controversial second runway mission for the Nnamdi Azikiwe Worldwide Airport (NAIA), Abuja and the variation of N532 billion by the China Civil Engineering Building Company (CCECC), the contractor.

He, nonetheless, stated {that a} second runway was fascinating for the airport due to its rising site visitors and significance to the nation.

“Along with that, the site visitors in Abuja is growing. So, for extra environment friendly operations, we have to have two runways. The projection within the subsequent few years is that the site visitors goes to be one of many largest site visitors in Nigeria and we have to plan forward earlier than we get there. The Abuja runway could be very needed.

“As per the contract a part of it, I don’t have any remark. I don’t know what the small print of the contracts are, I didn’t take part within the procurement course of. It’s being dealt with by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Growth and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). I believe these are the suitable companies to talk on the fee,” he stated.