● Plane makes emergency return landing in Lagos
● Traumatised passengers launch into frenetic prayers
A United Airlines Boeing 787-8, flying from Lagos to Dulles Airport in Washington DC, declared an emergency and returned to Lagos on Thursday.
After reversing course, the aircraft’s crew activated the emergency transponder code 7700, maintaining communication with air traffic control until landing safely.
The plane, registered as N27903, is a 13-year-old widebody aircraft operated by United Airlines, and was initially destined for Dulles International Airport in Washington.
It had 245 passengers, eight flight attendants, and three pilots on board.
As a result of the incident, some passengers on board reportedly sustained injuries.
Videos and pictures from the distressed passengers in the aircraft showed food and passengers’ luggage scattered, littering the aircraft owing to the shaky nature of the flight.
They were still praying in while the plane was on the ground d awaiting passengers’ evacuation.
The real cause of the pandemonium had yet to be ascertained as of the time of filing this report, but only the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau can give the real causes of the incident.
Contrary to the official account, passengers on board the United Airlines flight are speculating that the emergency return to Lagos was due to an engine-related problem.
Contacted for his comment, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr. Micheal Achimugu, confirmed the incident.
He said the distressed passengers had been lodged in a hotel as stipulated by the regulatory act.
“Yes, it is true, and no problems, the passengers have been lodged into a hotel as stipulated by the NCAA Act,” he said.
The airline also confirmed the incident in a terse statement, attributing it to “a technical issue.”
“Flight UA613 from Lagos to Washington D.C. returned to Lagos to address a technical issue.
“After landing safely, the aircraft was met by first responders to address reports of minor injuries to several passengers and crew,” the statement said.
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