Abuja airport runway closed as jet loses landing gear + photos

Thursday, January 25, 2018 8:06 pm

The jet which skidded off the runway

Femi Ipaye/ Abuja

All flights coming to Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja have been diverted to nearby airports as a result of flight mishap involving a private chartered plane.

Two landing gear of the private jet being operated by Nest Oil pulled off, leading to the plane skidding off the runway. It was gathered that the incident happened at about 4 pm on Thursday.

There was no casualty in the plane which was carrying the chairman of the oil company and eight other persons, including the pilot and the co-pilot.

While confirming the accident, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN in a statement issued by Henrietta Yakubu (Mrs.), General Manager, Corporate Affairs said, “The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria wishes to notify passengers and airport users that the runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, would be closed for the next 30 minutes.

The landing gear which pulled off from the private jet

“This is to enable the Authority take safety precautions, as a private jet being operated by Nest Oil has just skidded off the Abuja runway.

“The aircraft lost it’s landing gear in the process but all hands are on deck to put the situation under control and normalcy would be restored within the hour.