NCAA, AIB launch probe as Overland plane bursts into flame

An aircraft  – ATR 42 -belonging to Overland Airways  unexpectedly caught fire yesterday  where it was parked at the airline’s hangar at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) and Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) immediately launched investigations into the fire.

Spokesman of the AIB, Tunji Oketumbi, who confirmed the development, said a team of investigators from the bureau went to the site of the incident and carried out the necessary duties.

The AIB official said there was no intention of flight as regards the aircraft, which he said was seriously affected by fire.

He said the AIB could only operate within the limits of the International Civil Aviation Organisation  (ICAO) Annex 13 covering air accident investigation.

In a telephone interview, an official of the NCAA said the regulatory body sent its personnel to ascertain what happened to the aircraft at the hangar.

It was also leant that a director with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN),  led to team to see how its aerodrome rescue safety fire fighting unit contained the incident.

FAAN fire tenders/trucks were mobilised to the incident scene to put out the fire.

Meanwhile, Overland Airways attributed the impact of a foreign object as the cause of fire.

A statement issued by the airline’s management said: “In a lone incident this morning (yesterday), our aircraft asset undergoing routine maintenance inspection was impacted by a foreign object which led to a fire that damaged aircraft parked at our hangar facility at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

“The aircraft was not in public service when the unfortunate incident occurred.

“The fire was put under control by a combined safety team of Overland Airways and the FAAN Fire Service.

“We are very grateful to God Almighty that there was no injury to any personnel, no loss of life and no third-party damage recorded. Also our ultra-modern aircraft hangar was not damaged.“