Algae on Port-Harcourt Airport runway causes ValueJet aircraft’s skid-off, 67 survive
By Emma Ogbuehi
In yet another moment of scare on Tuesday, a ValueJet CRJ 900 Bombardier aircraft skidded off the runway at Port-Harcourt International Airport, causing momentary panic and chaos among passengers.
Managing Director of ValueJet, Capt. Dapo Majekodunmi, explained that Captain Stanley Balami reported the slip was as a result of algae on the taxiway, which prevented the aircraft from maintaining the centerline.
As a result, the flight which landed at 15.32 hours with 62 passengers and five crew members overshot the runway.
However, despite the frightening situation, nobody was hurt when the aircraft with registration 5N-BXR finally came to a halt.
TheNiche also gathered that the incident did not result in any damage to the aircraft.
Assuring the public of ValueJet’s commitment to safety, Capt. Majekodunmi stated that the airline’s operations remain normal without any disruptions.
This is the third time in five days that the aviation industry will record mishaps.
The latest scare is taking place only two days after a Boeing 737 passenger jet belonging to Aerocontractors Airlines crash-landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Sunday morning.
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Although no injury or fatality was recorded in that case just as in this latest incident, however, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, an agency of the Federal Government, confirmed that the aircraft got involved in a “serious accident” around 10.47 am upon arriving at the NAIA from Lagos.
The Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NSIB, James Odaudu, confirmed that in a statement in Abuja same day, adding that investigations into the accident had begun.
“The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been notified and has commenced an investigation into a serious incident involving a Boeing 737 with nationality and registration marks 5N-BYQ belonging to Aerocontractors Airlines, which occurred around 10:47 am (local time) on November 12, 2023.
“The aircraft upon landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja from Lagos and in a bid to exit the runway via A4 had its nose wheel stuck in the grass verge with its fuselage on the runway.
“Consequently, the runway was closed pending the towing of the aircraft from the runway. There was no injury or fatality.”
Recall that last week Friday, a private jet conveying the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, from Abuja to Ibadan crash-landed at the Ibadan airport in Oyo State.
Although no injury nor fatality was recorded during that incident, investigations into the serious accident are still ongoing by the NSIB.
