….NCAA Urged to Review Cargo Jet Safety
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released its preliminary findings on the accident involving an Allied Air Boeing 737-400 Freighter, which suffered a landing gear failure during its final approach at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on December 11, 2024.
The aircraft, registered as 5N-JRT, was en route to Abuja to collect cargo for the Central Bank of Nigeria when it experienced a flap malfunction during descent according to the report.
Despite the flight crew’s attempts to deploy the flaps to 30 degrees, they remained stuck at 15 degrees, leading to a higher-than-normal landing speed.
Incident Timeline and Impact
The aircraft, which departed from Murtala Muhammed International Airport (Lagos) at 09:11, began its descent into Abuja at 09:44.
The approach was conducted with the First Officer as the Pilot Flying and the Captain as the Pilot Monitoring.
Upon touchdown at 157 knots, a loud bang was heard from the right side of the aircraft. The right main landing gear assembly detached, causing the No. 2 engine nacelle to scrape along the runway for approximately 1,172 meters before the aircraft veered off and came to a stop on the grass verge, facing 170 degrees from its original runway heading.
Aircraft Damage and Crew Safety
The NSIB’s preliminary findings highlight significant structural damage, including:
..The complete detachment of the right main landing gear.
..Bursting of the No. 3 and No. 4 main wheel tires.
..Damage to the No. 2 engine nacelle and the lower right-wing section.
Despite the severity of the incident, the aircraft’s cabin and cockpit structure remained intact. All crew members exited safely through the forward main door, with no injuries reported.
Operational and Weather Conditions
According to the NSIB, both the Captain and First Officer held valid licenses and medical certificates.
The aircraft, which had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness, had conducted 101 landings since November 1, 2024, with 85 of them utilizing Flaps 15.
Weather conditions at the time of the accident were favorable, and all navigational and communication systems were functional, except for the Airfield Lighting Panel System.
Importantly, no prior technical snags were recorded in the aircraft’s logbook, and investigators found no evidence of a hard landing.
Immediate Safety Recommendations
As an immediate safety measure, the NSIB has issued Safety Recommendation 2025-001, urging the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to conduct an urgent inspection of all Allied Air aircraft to identify potential mechanical or structural issues, particularly with the flap and landing gear systems.
Next Steps in the Investigation
The NSIB’s ongoing investigation will focus on:
1. A detailed examination of the right main landing gear assembly.
2. Testing of the aircraft’s flap drive system, including its transmission assemblies and actuators.
3. Further analysis of the main wheel tires for any signs of failure or wear.
While the investigation is still in progress, this incident raises concerns about the reliability of aircraft components and maintenance practices.
The final report is expected to provide deeper insights into the root causes and potential safety enhancements to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
