According to one of the passengers aboard the flight, the plane flew through very turbulent and harsh weather conditions, as it rained heavily throughout the flight. The passenger disclosed that the heavy downpour made it extremely difficult for the pilot to have a clear view of the runway for a proper landing
An aircraft on Thursday crash-landed at Benin City airport in Edo State.
The incident, which involved an aircraft belonging to Enugu Air, reportedly occurred on Thursday afternoon.
A video of the incident, shared on social media by activists and politician Omoyele Sowore, showed an immobile aircraft on a muddy, grassy, and wetland area within the airport, far from the tarmac or the runway.
“My heart goes out to everyone involved in the incident involving the @EnuguAirlines aircraft at Benin Airport. I hope no one was injured and that all passengers and crew are safe. The authorities must treat aviation safety and regulatory compliance with the utmost seriousness. There is no room for negligence when lives are at stake,” Sowore wrote
Critical parts and components of the aircraft were visibly damaged. The impact of the crash left tyres disjointed from the aircraft, while the wings and fuselage were also extensively damaged.
Passengers and flight crew were seen disembarking from the aircraft and walking across the unpaved muddy ground.
“Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ,” an ostensibly shaken and terrified passenger could be heard muttering in the video.
According to one of the passengers aboard the flight, the plane flew through very turbulent and harsh weather conditions, as it rained heavily throughout the flight. The passenger disclosed that the heavy downpour made it extremely difficult for the pilot to have a clear view of the runway for a proper landing, as thick fog had blurred out her vision, and after going round in circles for some time, the pilot eventually crash-landed the plane.
Aviation experts, however, said the pilot landed the plane on the runway, but it veered off course into the grassy wetland as it was taxiing down due to the poor weather.
Enugu Air is owned and operated by the Enugu State government. Neither the State government nor the aviation authorities have issued an official statement regarding the incident at the time of filing this report.
Watch the video of the incident here and here
More to follow…..
