NSIB initiates probe into XeJet aircraft runway overshoot at Lagos Airport
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced a thorough investigation into the runway overrun incident involving a XeJet Airline Embraer 145 aircraft at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.
The incident reportedly occurred at 1:00 pm on Saturday, May 11, 2024, as the aircraft, registered as 5N BZZ and operated by XeJet Airline on behalf of NG Eagle Airlines, was concluding a scheduled flight from Abuja to Lagos.
Onboard were 49 passengers and 3 crew members.
In a statement signed by Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NSIB, the agency disclosed that according to preliminary findings, the flight, which took off from Abuja at 11:10 a.m., faced a delay of 50 minutes in Lagos due to adverse weather conditions.
It was cleared for landing and touched down on Runway 18 Left (18L) before veering off to the left of the centerline, eventually coming to a stop approximately 326 meters from the threshold of Runway 36R.
The Bureau further explained that despite the aircraft sustaining damage to its nose landing gear and both main landing gear tyres, all passengers and crew were safely evacuated through controlled procedures; and there were no reported injuries or fatalities.
Captain Alex Badeh Jr., Director-General of NSIB, affirmed the initiation of the investigation, stating, “Our focus is determining the factors that led to the runway overrun.”
According to him, interviews with the flight crew, toxicology tests, and data retrieval from the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder are all part of the ongoing investigation, adding that the tests, however, were negative.
“Our investigators have interviewed the captain, senior first officer, and purser. Toxicology tests were also conducted on the crew to check for any impairing substances. All tests came back negative.
“The Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder have been retrieved and the data downloaded for further analysis at our transport safety lab,” Captain Badeh Jr. remarked.
The agency said further investigation will encompass various aspects such as the airworthiness of the aircraft, operational protocols, human factors, weather conditions, and maintenance records.
Collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and other institutions, is also underway to gather pertinent information.
In adherence to international aviation safety standards, NSIB said it will release a preliminary report summarizing key findings within 30 days, followed by a final report with safety recommendations upon completion of the investigation.
It noted that the overarching objective of the investigation is to pinpoint the cause of the incident and propose preventive measures to avert similar occurrences in the future.
