What would have been another air disaster was on Sunday, averted by whiskers as an Abuja-bound aircraft made a dramatic return to Lagos when one of its engines developed a mechanical fault mid-air.

On board the aircraft which belongs to Med-View Airline were 73 passengers including Mr. Donald Ojogo, the newly appointed Politics Editor, Abuja, of the Independent Newspapers Limited, publishers of Daily Independent, Saturday Independent and Sunday Independent.

The Lagos-Abuja bound flight, VL2104, scheduled for 12 noon on Sunday had taken off at exactly 12.15 pm, 15 minutes behind schedule.



But at exactly 12.30, about five minutes after the seat belt signs were put off, there was a loud bang at the engine side of the aircraft forcing it to drop in altitude even as it became unstable, swerving slowly and steadily in left and right directions for about two minutes.

The development elicited instant prayers, wailings and cries from the passengers, most of whom were women with the silence of the Aircraft Crew, especially the Pilot, further heightening tension in the plane.

 http://dailypost.com.ng/2013/01/27/74-passengers-escape-air-crash-after-abuja-bound-plane-develops-fault-15-minutes-after-take-off/

Thank God O! But seriously, something drastic should be done about this issue.

Sounds like they collided with something - perhaps a bird strike?
Or is someone trying to shoot an aircraft down in Nigeria? - Sounds like it was already at a high altitude for that to be the case.

koruji: Sounds like they collided with something - perhaps a bird strike?
Or is someone trying to shoot an aircraft down in Nigeria? - Sounds like it was already at a high altitude for that to be the case.

I think Mr President should be blamed. just kidding anyway. Thank God no life was lost.

koruji: Sounds like they collided with something - perhaps a bird strike?
Or is someone trying to shoot an aircraft down in Nigeria? - Sounds like it was already at a high altitude for that to be the case.

More like a bird strike or stormy weather... There was a sorta turbulence earlier on same airspace, glad there was no eventuality.

Something has to be done about the state of our aviation sector. Enough is enough.

koruji: Sounds like they collided with something - perhaps a bird strike?
Or is someone trying to shoot an aircraft down in Nigeria? - Sounds like it was already at a high altitude for that to be the case.

Bird strike ke? At how many feet? You're right for that to be the case.

They said 1) after seat belts signs were off, 2) 5mins after departure, which means the airplane has retracted landing gear, already started climbing. A passenger airplane climbs at 1800ft per min after rotate putting the aircraft above the altitude where birds fly.

Based on what they testified, that isn't a bird strike - that's more than a bird strike.

IMO, this obviously was an engine failure.

manny4life:

Bird strike ke? At how many feet? You're right for that to be the case.

They said 1) after seat belts signs were off, 2) 5mins after departure, which means the airplane has retracted landing gear, already started climbing. A passenger airplane climbs at 1800ft per min after rotate putting the aircraft above the altitude where birds fly.

Based on what they testified, that isn't a bird strike - that's more than a bird strike.

IMO, this obviously was an engine failure.

I know this was no bird strike but bird strikes have been recorded to occur even at 29000 ft .. Hope U know geese and condors are known to hit aircrafts at altitudes above 25k ft

idupaul:

I know this was no bird strike but bird strikes have been recorded to occur even at 29000 ft .. Hope U know geese and condors are known to hit aircrafts at altitudes above 25k ft

At 25,000 ft? I've never heard of such. Are these birds using same respiratory system like humans (use of oxygen to breathe)? If they need oxygen to breathe, now unless they're configured differently, I'm not saying it's untrue, but not possible. There's a reason why the cabin is pressurized with oxygen past 10k ft.

The pilot did a marvellous job of stabilizing the aircraft after engine failure. His hands were full, in dealing with that emergency, so he could not be expected to deliver a running commentary to the passengers while he battled to circle the crippled bird back to the airport.

OMG

pls like My comment in order to encourage me.... it is my first time to comment. thanks

Professionalism at it best, its safety first thumbs up to the pilots and cabin crew.

God Is Good!

Thank God!

money-hungry :
pls like My comment in order to encourage me.... it is my first time to comment. thanks

. I jus did

I would stop boarding planes.

money-hungry :
pls like My comment in order to encourage me.... it is my first time to comment. thanks

then say something likable

once again, let's blame Jonathan.

funshybam: once again, let's blame Jonathan.

na him badluck wan bring the plane down....abi??

Chai! Many must have made various promises to God in exchange for them to live, in the heat of the situation. I hope they fulfil their vows since they all lived

Thank God

Thank GOD for their lives.

funshybam: once again, let's blame Jonathan.

na him pilot d plane,y blame him,z he a mechanic

manny4life:

At 25,000 ft? I've never heard of such. Are these birds using same respiratory system like humans (use of oxygen to breathe)? If they need oxygen to breathe, now unless they're configured differently, I'm not saying it's untrue, but not possible. There's a reason why the cabin is pressurized with oxygen past 10k ft.

see below

"The altitude record is held by a Rüppell's griffon Gyps rueppelli, a vulture with a 10-foot wingspan. On November 29, 1975 one was sucked into a jet engine 37,900 feet above the Ivory Coast in West Africa. The plane was damaged but landed safely. What the bird was doing up so high I have no idea, since this species is not migratory.

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081022121055AAqaePr

koruji: Sounds like they collided with something - perhaps a bird strike?
Or is someone trying to shoot an aircraft down in Nigeria? - Sounds like it was already at a high altitude for that to be the case.

For the fasten seat belt sign to be turned off they will be well into the initial ascent probably beyond FL15. I can't imagine a strike in that zone. However, thank God for autopilot. Losing one of two engines while climbing at full power is almost irrecoverable.
And only if the passengers know how close they came to peril this talk of not telling them what is happening will not arise.

The pilot is not obliged to speak to the cabin unless he fully comprehends what the situation is and has escaped imminent distress.

koruji: Sounds like they collided with something - perhaps a bird strike?
Or is someone trying to shoot an aircraft down in Nigeria? - Sounds like it was already at a high altitude for that to be the case.

Air. Vice Marshal kuruji continue your Analysis. na only for Nigeria any Garri drinker na pilot and coach..

Harmattan-strickened engine blow-out. Thank GOD for journey mercies.