NCAA grounds Rano Air Plane after mid-air engine failure

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded a Rano Air aircraft following a mid-air engine failure that raised serious safety concerns.

The aircraft, with registration number 5N-BZY, was en route from Kano to Sokoto when it experienced a failure on its engine one, forcing the pilot to activate safety protocols and land the plane safely.

According to Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, smoke was noticed both in the flight deck and cabin, prompting the use of oxygen masks as the pilot managed a safe emergency landing in Sokoto.

Controversy erupted when reports emerged that the same aircraft was cleared for a return flight to Kano shortly after some minor repairs. However, minutes after takeoff, the aircraft was forced to make a U-turn and return to Sokoto Airport, leading to public outrage over alleged negligence.

Reacting to the incident, Achimugu confirmed that the NCAA’s Directorate of Airworthiness has officially grounded the aircraft pending a thorough investigation. He explained that while a rescue aircraft was expected to evacuate stranded passengers, it was already engaged in transporting Abuja-Katsina passengers, prompting the cancellation of the Sokoto flight.

“The NCAA prioritises safety,” Achimugu stated. “More advanced countries record worse incidents, but in Nigeria, flights are cancelled even on the slightest hint of a safety issue.”

The incident has sparked renewed conversations about aviation safety oversight and operational standards in the country’s domestic flight sector.