NSIB Launches Investigation into Hawker 800XP Nose Gear Collapse at Kano Airport
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced a formal investigation into an aviation incident involving a Hawker 800XP aircraft at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano State.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Bureau confirmed that the aircraft, bearing nationality and registration marks 5N-ISB and operated by Flybird Aircraft Management Services Limited, was involved in an occurrence during landing on Sunday, 14 December 2025.
According to the NSIB, the aircraft departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at approximately 9:20 a.m. local time on a non-scheduled domestic passenger flight to Kano. There were eight persons on board the aircraft, comprising two cockpit crew members, one cabin crew member and five passengers.
The incident occurred during the approach phase into Kano, when the flight crew observed an anomaly in the landing gear indication system.
As a precautionary measure, the crew requested multiple low passes over the runway to enable air traffic controllers at the Kano control tower to visually confirm the position of the landing gear.
The NSIB disclosed that on each of the low passes conducted, the control tower confirmed that all three landing gears appeared to be fully extended. Following these confirmations, the aircraft lined up for landing on Runway 06 and touched down at about 10:34 a.m. local time.
However, during the landing roll, the nose landing gear collapsed. Despite the incident, all eight occupants of the aircraft disembarked safely, and no injuries were reported.
Upon receiving notification of the occurrence, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau immediately activated its Go-Team to begin on-site investigations.
The Bureau stated that its investigators will conduct a comprehensive examination of the aircraft systems, operational procedures, maintenance records and crew actions in order to determine the circumstances and factors that led to the incident.
The NSIB reassured the public that the investigation is being carried out strictly in line with international best practices and is not intended to apportion blame or establish liability. Rather, the objective is to identify safety issues and recommend measures that will help prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The Bureau added that further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.
The statement was signed by Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau.
The NSIB is a multimodal transport agency mandated to promote transport safety in Nigeria through objective, comprehensive and accurate investigations into transport accidents and incidents, with the aim of identifying probable causes and advocating safety improvements based on its findings.
