A serious incident occurred on the morning of December 11, 2024 on the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Nigeria.
A Boeing 737-400F of the Nigerian cargo airline Allied Air Cargo, registered under 5N-JRT, deviated from the runway after landing and came to a stop with its nose in a ditch. Despite significant damage to the aircraft, all five crew members survived the incident unharmed. The incident highlights the challenges facing the aviation industry in Nigeria and the safety of older aircraft models.
The course of the incident
The aircraft in question, which was first put into service in February 1993, was on a domestic cargo flight from Lagos to Abuja. According to the Aviation Herald, the flight landed 4W206 at 10:05 a.m. local time on runway 22. The aircraft left the paved area, crossed a dry grass area and came to a stop in a ditch.
According to initial research by the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) A mechanical defect, probably in the right main landing gear, appears to be the reason for the departure from the runway. Photos from the scene of the accident show that the right landing gear sheared off during landing. Also striking is the lack of traces of the right landing gear on the grass, which supports the theory of structural failure.
reactions of the authorities
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) reacted quickly. In a statement by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, it was stressed that the runway would be cleared immediately and opened for operations. At the same time, the authority called for speculation to be refrained from until the preliminary report of the NSIB is available.
An emergency team and accident investigators were deployed immediately after the incident became known. Despite the extensive damage to the aircraft, the smooth evacuation and the professional response of the rescue services is a positive signal for aviation safety in the region.
An old aircraft with a turbulent history
The aircraft, a 31-year-old Boeing 737-400, was originally operated as a passenger aircraft. It served airlines such as Air Berlin, Pegasus Airlines and Philippine Airlines, before being acquired by Allied Air Cargo in 2014 and converted to a freighter. Given its age, the question arises whether structural fatigue could have contributed to the landing gear failure. The aircraft, which has been used for various cargo missions within Africa and in cooperation with DHL used in international traffic may be damaged beyond repair.
Allied Air Cargo and the Role of Air Cargo in Nigeria
Allied Air Cargo is a major player in the African cargo sector. With a fleet of four Boeing 737 freighters, the airline connects major African cities such as Douala, Nairobi and Libreville and operates regular flights on behalf of DHL to Europe. However, the incident represents a setback for the company, which is central to the air freight supply of West Africa.
Repetition of a familiar pattern?
The incident brings back memories of a similar incident in November 2023, when a Boeing 737-300 of the Nigerian airline Cally Air also skidded off runway 22 at Abuja Airport. Both accidents raise questions about infrastructure, maintenance and operational standards in the region.
The NSIB's investigation will be crucial to determine the exact causes. It remains uncertain whether the aircraft can be returned to service. If the suspicion of landing gear failure is confirmed, this could have far-reaching consequences for the operation of similar models, particularly in Africa, where older aircraft often remain in service longer than in other regions.
Outlook
Nigeria's aviation industry faces challenges ranging from technical deficiencies to regulatory issues. The 5N-JRT incident highlights the urgency of addressing structural weaknesses in air transport and ensuring that older aircraft can be operated safely despite their long service lives.
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