Tragedy was averted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday night as Overland Airways aircraft’s engine caught fire mid-air.

The aircraft coming from Ilorin International Airport in Kwara State, it was gathered, had its engine caught fire when it was about to land at the Lagos airport.

It was learnt that the airplane thereafter made an emergency landing at the airport while the 33 passengers onboard the flight were safely disembarked at the International Wing.

The incident was confirmed via a statement issued by the airline, noting that no passenger was injured.

The statement read: “Overland Airways wishes to inform the general public that its flight OF1188 from Ilorin to Lagos experienced an unusual high turbine temperature on one of its engines today, Wednesday, June 15, 2022, around 7:50pm.

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“This occurred in the approach phase of flight and the aircraft landed very safely as the Crew skillfully implemented their standard procedures for such abnormal situations.

“All 33 passengers remained calm through the process and safely disembarked row by row in accordance with post-COVID-19 procedures after the aircraft came to a halt on the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos runway 18 Right. No passenger was hurt in any way.

“Overland Airways salutes the professional interventions of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Accident Investigation Bureau Nigeria (AIB-N) which were very prompt and reassuring.

“Overland Airways regrets any inconvenience to its passengers and assures the travelling public of its full commitment to safety of its services and passengers,” Overland Airways stated.

The Star