300 Cheat Death In Lagos Aircraft Collision

300 passengers an Emirates Boeing 777-200 aircraft escaped death in Lagos on July 6, Monday, has the plane had a ground collision with an aircraft parked at the apron wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos.

According to National Mirror, the incident occurred around 9:30p.m as the aircraft taxed to the take-off point for departure to Dubai as the aircraft had its right hand wingtip contact with the tail of a Hak Air aircraft parked at the apron of the airport.

Checked-in passengers were evacuated from the aircraft, while the management of the airline commenced damage assessment of both aircraft with the Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, commencing investigation to the cause of the incident.

National Mirror said the the incident might have occurred due to the safety issue the international runway, 18Left had as at the time of the incident; the runway was not properly lit.

As a result of the safety issue, all international aircraft were directed to the local runway, 18Right for take-off.

The Regional Manager, Emirates West Africa, Mr. Manoj Nair also confirmed that the incident occurred when the aircraft was taxiing for departure.

“A night stop has been declared and passengers will be accommodated on other services. Our flight safety team has left for Lagos. Emirates can confirm that flight EK782 from Lagos to Dubai on 6th July made minor contact with the aircraft of another carrier while taxiing.

“Passengers were provided overnight hotel accommodation and will be flown to Dubai on other Emirates services on 7th July.

“Emirates apologises for any inconvenience caused. The aircraft, a Boeing 777-200LR, is currently in Lagos for damage assessment and checks. “Emirates is co-operating fully with all the relevant authorities. We are also conducting our own internal investigation into the incident,” he said.

Boeing 777-200 is the world’s largest twinjet and has a typical seating capacity for 314 to 451 passengers.

Also, AIB in a statement by its Head, Public Affairs, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi stated that a team of investigators had promptly been deployed to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident with a view to making possible safety recommendations.

Oketunbi said the Commissioner, AIB, Dr. Felix Abali had inspected the scene of the occurrence and promised that the investigation would be handled with speed.

“Every incident is a safety issue that must be thoroughly investigated. This will help in preventing accidents and sustain safety in aviation. This investigation will be conducted with speed.”