A Dana Air aircraft with 83 passengers and registration number 5N BKI flying from Abuja to Lagos, was on Tuesday, reported to have suffered a runway excursion at the Lagos Murtala Mohammed airport.

A runway excursion occurs when an aircraft veers off the runway in use during the take-off or landing run.

Confirming the incident, Dana Air in a statement, said although the passengers were safely disembarked with no injuries, it had reported the incident to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Board (NSIB) and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

It added that the aircraft had been grounded by the maintenance team, pending further investigation.

The airline also apologised to passengers on the flight, commending their patience, while thanking the airport authorities for their swift response to the incident.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the development in a statement.

“The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority wishes to inform the public that on 23rd April, 2024 at about 08:25, a Dana Airline aircraft was involved in a runway excursion occurrence.

“The Aircraft, an MD82 with registration marks 5SN-BKI, departed Abuja for Lagos with 83 passengers and 6 crew members onboard.

“Upon landing at MMIA, the Air Transport Controller [ATC] Tower observed at C4 that the Nosewheel had retracted the nose of the aircraft collapsed and the aircraft veered off the runway into the grassy area.

“Very importantly, all passengers and crew disembarked and were evacuated safely while Runway 18L was closed. In accordance with statutory procedures, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau [NSIB) has commenced its investigation into the occurrence.

“The NCAA reiterates its avowed commitment to a safe and secure aviation sector. In furtherance of this commitment, the Authority will be looking to implement the safety recommendations expected from the NSIB investigation while it carries out its own in-house safety assessment of the occurrence.

“The travelling public is hereby assured of NCAA’s unrelenting efforts in holding all operators and service providers in the sector to the highest international safety standards.” the statement signed: Capt. Chris Najomo said.