The early morning Abuja-bound Aero Contractors plane was set for take-off at 6:45am when the flight was aborted because one of the engines had stopped working.
There was panic inside the aircraft whose door had been locked in readiness for take-off.
A woman shouted for the door to be opened for her to disembark.
A pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Olumide Adeleye, who was aboard the plane, relived the experience in Abuja yesterday.
He said: “We had already boarded the plane scheduled for 6:45am. It was filled to capacity, ready for take-off when the pilot announced that one of the engines had packed up. There was panic, but people also thanked God that the engine did not fail in the air.
“A woman was just shouting ‘please open this door before I break it!’. I was travelling with my wife and within me I was saying, ‘God it is not my portion and that of my wife to die’. I immediately remembered the Dana crash that happened, also on a Sunday.
“The Murtala Muhammed International Airport , Lagos, was thrown into confusion as some passengers were contemplating on refund of money. Even when another airline was ready to fly, passengers were insisting that the authority must properly check the plane, test-run it, before take-off.
“I booked the 6:45am flight so as to get early to church as the pastor of my parish in Abuja, to preach and preside over the thanksgiving service and dedicate a set of twins, which I did.
“I thank God for a successful journey back to Abuja. I was just imagining what people would have been telling my children about their father and mother.”
The airline said the action of the pilot was in order.
A spokesman of the airline, Mr. Simon Tumba yesterday said as a safety curious carrier, the airline withdrew the aircraft to safeguard the interest of the passengers and crew.
Tumba said such precautionary steps were necessary for the safety of the passengers and crew, which is part of the routine in the safety measures at the disposal of the airline.
The Nation
Aren't the passengers very lucky indeed! If the engine had packed up minutes after take off and in the proccess of gaining altitude, it would have resulted in disaster!
ReplyDeleteAll thanks and praise must go to God Almighty.
Thank God Oº°. Nikky
ReplyDeleteNigeria! I wonder how long the plane has been flying. We just like cheap labour to make fast money. Nigerians need to start buying new planes rather than tokunbo planes. Losing a human life is no joke, talk more of losing human lives.
ReplyDeleteChineke imela. We don't understand it when God freely does mighty things for us. This shows God's hands are upon Nigeria, one day our country must be better...iJn...amen.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous 11:12 please always try to put your words correctly....how many Nigerians can afford a new car???? not to talk of plane and the fact that the plane is not new does not mean it wont work perfectly, maintenance is the key to sustainability my brother........even if the engine had packed up in the, the other engine will still sustain it but the pilot will just have to contact the nearest airport for emergency landing......
ReplyDelete