The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has issued an immediate grounding order for Rano Air’s aircraft 5N-BZY after the plane suffered an engine malfunction during flight operations.
This action demonstrates the NCAA’s unwavering commitment to maintaining stringent safety standards for all airlines operating within Nigeria’s aviation sector, according to a notice by the agency.
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During the flight, the aircraft’s first engine experienced technical difficulties, resulting in smoke appearing throughout both the passenger cabin and flight deck. The crew responded swiftly by putting on oxygen masks and implementing standard emergency protocols while preparing for an emergency landing procedure, NCAA noted.
According to the regulatory agency, the smoke cleared before the aircraft touched down, and the captain successfully completed a safe landing without any additional complications or injuries reported.
Following the incident, the NCAA’s Airworthiness Division has mandated that the aircraft remain out of service until comprehensive safety evaluations are completed.
Technical specialists are now conducting detailed inspections to identify what caused the engine problems and subsequent smoke development.
The malfunction created significant operational challenges, primarily impacting passengers who were scheduled to travel from Sokoto to their intended destinations.
Since a replacement aircraft had already accommodated passengers traveling the Abuja-Katsina route, redirecting to Sokoto would have created substantial delays and logistical complications.
Consequently, airline officials decided to cancel the Sokoto service rather than inconvenience passengers already seated and potentially compromise established safety protocols.
The NCAA has reaffirmed its position that aviation safety standards will never be compromised, regardless of operational inconveniences or commercial pressures.
Officials noted that Nigeria’s aviation safety performance remains strong compared to international standards, particularly considering the operational challenges of maintaining aviation infrastructure in a developing nation.
The Authority pointed out that nations with more sophisticated aviation systems often experience more serious aviation incidents than those recorded in Nigeria.
This outcome, according to the NCAA, results from Nigeria’s policy of canceling flights whenever even minor safety concerns arise.
The regulator emphasized that these preventive measures reflect international best practices and meet global aviation safety oversight standards.
The NCAA plans to provide additional information about the investigation once technical teams complete their examination of aircraft 5N-BZY.
Affected passengers will receive appropriate assistance according to Rano Air’s responsibilities under applicable consumer protection regulations.
