A terrifying mid-air emergency unfolded when a Fly Bird HS 125 aircraft lost both its engines during a flight from Abuja to Accra.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched an urgent investigation into the December 6, 2024, incident.
The small jet, carrying only four people, narrowly avoided catastrophe after the pilots managed to land safely despite losing all engine power.
“This was a serious incident that could have ended tragically, but the skill of the crew saved lives,” said Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs.
Emergency in the Skies
The drama began shortly after the aircraft, with registration number 5NKAL, departed from Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
As the jet climbed to an altitude of 28,000 feet, the crew detected a problem with engine number 2.
The aircraft was about 25 nautical miles southwest of the VOR station VONUK when the situation worsened.
Realizing the severity of the malfunction, the pilots requested clearance to return to Abuja.
Permission was granted, and the aircraft began its descent to 19,000 feet.
But as it descended through 23,000 feet, engine number 2 failed completely.
The crisis escalated further when engine number 1 also failed, leaving the aircraft powerless at just 5,000 feet.
The crew declared a Mayday emergency, signaling the dire nature of the situation.
Safe Landing Amid Chaos
Despite the odds, the pilots managed to bring the plane back to Abuja safely at 18:16 UTC.
All four people onboard—three crew members and one passenger—escaped without injury.
Witnesses at Abuja Airport described the scene as tense but miraculous.
“It was like watching a disaster unfold in slow motion, but they pulled it off,” said an airport ground worker.
Investigation Underway
The NSIB is now examining the events leading up to the engine failures.
In a statement, Mrs. Oladeji confirmed that a full investigation is underway to determine the cause of the technical issues.
Preliminary findings suggest the first signs of trouble appeared as the aircraft was climbing through 24,000 feet.
Experts say a dual engine failure is a rare and extremely dangerous occurrence in aviation.
“This type of failure almost always results in a crash,” an aviation analyst explained.
“The fact that the crew landed safely speaks volumes about their training and expertise.”
Questions About Maintenance and Safety
The incident has raised questions about the maintenance and safety protocols of Fly Bird Airlines.
Some critics are demanding answers about how a small jet could lose both engines mid-flight.
“Airlines have a duty to ensure that their planes are in perfect condition before every flight,” said a former aviation regulator.
“Anything less is a gamble with lives.”
What Happens Next?
The NSIB investigation will focus on the technical and operational factors behind the engine failures.
This includes examining maintenance records, flight crew actions, and the aircraft’s performance history.
The bureau has assured the public that findings will be shared transparently to prevent future incidents.
Mrs. Oladeji emphasized the importance of thorough investigations in improving aviation safety.
“Every detail matters,” she said.
“We will leave no stone unturned to understand what happened and ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
