Tragedy Averted As Overland Plane Crash-lands In Ilorin

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines Saturday, November 29th, 2014

Oyewale Oyelola reporting from Ilorin

An Overland Airways ATR 72 turbo-prop engine plane on Saturday evening crashlanded at the Ilorin airport and veered off the runway hitting the pavement.

An eyewitness said the incident happened around 4:45pm while the plane was coming from Abuja.

African examiner correspondent reports that the overland plane tyre busted after landing on the tarmac.

A statement signed by General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority; Mr Fan Ndubuoke confirmed that all 59 passengers and 4 crew members on board the aircraft were safely evacuated after the incident.

“An Overland flight 1186, an ATR 72 aircraft with Registration number 5N-BPG from Abuja airport to Ilorin, carrying fifty nine passengers and four crew members,veered off the runway at low speed after a normal landing at the Ilorin Airport.

“The incident which occurred today Saturday, November 29, at 4.45pm, has no casualty recorded. However, the Accident and Prevention Bureau in conjunction with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has begun an investigation into the cause of the incident.

“The authority wishes to use this medium to reassure Nigerians that safety of the traveling public is still paramount and cannot be compromised.” the statement reads

Our correspondent gathered the aircraft was later towed from the tarmac 7pm on Saturday after evacuation of passengers.

A former Vice Chancellor of University of Ilorin, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede was one of the passengers aboard the aircraft.