A Boeing 737 passenger aircraft operated by Aero Contractors, a Nigerian state-controlled airline, got its nose wheel trapped in the grass following a runway incursion incident in Abuja, Nigeria.
The incident occurred on November 12, 2023, when the Boeing 737-300 aircraft, registered as 5N-BYQ, was operating a regular daily flight, N2119, between Lagos (LOS) and Abuja (ABV). According to flight history found on Flightradar24.com, the 24.3-year-old plane departed from Murtala Muhammed International Airport at around 9:32 a.m. (local time). Arriving at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 10:47 a.m., the standard landing turned into an unforeseen situation as the aircraft encountered a runway incursion under circumstances yet to be confirmed.
Promptly responding to the incident, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) released an initial report, categorizing the event as a “serious incident.”
“The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been notified and has commenced an investigation into a serious incident involving a Boeing 733 with Nationality and Registration Marks 5N-BYQ belonging to Aerocontractors Airlines […] The aircraft, upon landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, from Lagos and in a bid to exit the runway via A4, had its nose wheel stuck in the grass verge with its fuselage on the runway,” the agency wrote.
“Consequently, the runway was closed pending the towing of the aircraft from the runway,” the NSIB concluded.
As emergency services rushed to the scene, a witness captured footage of the unfolding situation.
The NSIB has appealed to the public, urging individuals to provide any relevant material to assist the ongoing investigation.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the more than 100 passengers and crew onboard.