A Boeing 737-500 aircraft operated by Aero contractors made a safe landing on the runway at the Murtala Muhammed Airport , Ikeja, Lagos on Sunday after loss of pressure in one of its tyres.
Confirming the incident, the general manager, corporate communications, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN), Yakubu Dati said: “A Boeing 737-500 with Registration No 5N-BLC, operated by Aero contractors landed safely at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, following loss of pressure in one of the tyres, today December 29, 2013.
?The aircraft which landed at 10.50am had a total of 104 passengers and crew members on board.
?The aircraft has since been towed to the apron and Accident Investigation Prevention Bureau, AIPB has commenced investigation into the incident.
?We wish to assure all air travellers of their safety and caution against magnifying a manageable incident out of proportion.”
The aircraft, which left the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, around 9.00a.m, was said to have suffered a tyre burst upon landing at the Murtala Mohammed Airport.
el-Rufai, a former minister of the federal capital territory after the incident, took to the social media, tweeting: ?Upon landing in Lagos, our Aero aircraft lost a tyre. The pilot did a great job of breaking to a halt. My phones flew under seats.?
A director of the airline, who spoke under condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident but said the burst tyre was immediately replaced by engineers of the airline.
He said the airline was currently waiting for the approval of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for the aircraft to commence operations, insisting that it was a minor incident, normal in aircraft operations.
Aero is one of the two domestic carriers the Federal Government is packaging to form a new national carrier for Nigerians.
