source: SaharaReporters)
59 passengers and four crew members aboard an Overland Airlines plane
on Saturday escaped death, as the aircraft with registration number,
051175/1176, crash landed at the Ilorin International Airport in Kwara
State.
The ATR 72 turboprop engine aircraft was said to be on its way from
Abuja when it suddenly developed fault. Upon landing, it veered off
the runway hitting the pavement. No casualty was recorded in the
incident that happened around 5.30pm, reports Vanguard.
Authorities claimed that all passengers on board, as well as the
four-member crew were safely evacuated after the incident.
A press release from Fan Ndubuoke, General Manager, Public Affairs of
the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority said that the accident
investigation bureau has commenced investigations on the incident.
"The incident which occurred today Saturday, November 29, at 4.45pm,
has no casualty recorded. However, the Accident and Prevention Bureau
in conjunction with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has begun an
investigation into the cause of the incident.
"The authority wishes to use this medium to reassure Nigerians that
safety of the traveling public is still paramount and cannot be
compromised," Ndubuoke said.
Some passengers on board the aircraft commended the pilot for showing
great experience and averting what could have been a deadly crash.
Sources say one of the 59 passengers on the aircraft was former vice
chancellor of the University of Ilorin Ishaq Oloyede.
Management of the airline confirmed the incident in a statement.
"It was a normal flight to Ilorin and standard procedures of flight
were followed. The aircraft landed safely at Ilorin Airport at 1645hrs
as scheduled and decelerated to a low speed, and in turning off the
active runway, veered off the pavement.
"At the directive of the Pilot In Command, our cabin crew calmly
evacuated all the 59 passengers safely and they were moved to the
airport terminal. No passengers or crew sustained any injuries
whatsoever.
"Our Ilorin passengers have since collected their baggage and gone
home while the Ibadan Airport bound passengers will continue on
Overland Airways to Ibadan Airport," the statement read.
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