Flights Collide at MMIA:Two First Nation

Two aircraft owned by First Nation Airways on Friday clipped their wings while on the taxiway of the domestic terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

According to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) the wings of the two aircraft hit and got damaged so the flights were aborted and passengers were disembarked.

Some of the passengers were refunded their money on request while others rescheduled their flights.

“First Nation Flight FRN 105 from Abuja with Registration Number,  FND  had wing collision  with parked First Nation Flight scheduled to depart LOS-PHC( Registration number FNE)  which  had 101 passengers seated on board . The wings of both Aircraft touched which caused serious damage to both aircraft, resulting to cancellation of FRN204 PHC and FRN108 to ABV (Abuja).

“Information gathered from the Pilot, Capt Rhode,  was that he was  being directed by the Marshaller to park at Bay 3 when he heard a crunching sound and applied break but the damage had already been done. The Marshal on duty said he got allocation instructions from Apron.  Mr. Enim, NCAA Airworthiness Inspector, was called and informed about the development. Passengers on both cancelled flights were given refunds while some were rescheduled,” NCAA said in a statement.

Also the spokesman of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Tunji Oketunbi who confirmed the incident said official of the Bureau were also looking into the matter as referred to them by NCAA.

THISDAY learnt that the Marshaller who guided the aircraft from Abuja and was taxiing to the terminal (MMA2) might not have guided the pilot properly and because the apron was not wide enough, pilots always face challenge manoeuvring through the taxiway to the terminal’s apron when many aircraft are parked.

However, the airline as at press time had not issued any statement on the incident and the head of corporate affairs, Pelu Awofesan did not response to questions to give details on what happened.