63 Escape Death As Overland Aircraft Veers Off Runway At Ilorin Airport

Posted by: niyi November 30, 2014

aircraft veers off the runway
source: SaharaReporters

59 passengers and four crew members aboard an Overland Airlines plane on Saturday escaped death, as the aircraft with registration number, 051175/1176, crash landed at the Ilorin International Airport in Kwara State.

The ATR 72 turboprop engine aircraft was said to be on its way from Abuja when it suddenly developed fault. Upon landing, it veered off the runway hitting the pavement. No casualty was recorded in the incident that happened around 5.30pm, reports Vanguard.
Authorities claimed that all passengers on board, as well as the four-member crew were safely evacuated after the incident.
A press release from Fan Ndubuoke, General Manager, Public Affairs of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority said that the accident investigation bureau has commenced investigations on the incident.
“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,” Ndubuoke said.
Some passengers on board the aircraft commended the pilot for showing great experience and averting what could have been a deadly crash. Sources say one of the 59 passengers on the aircraft was former vice chancellor of the University of Ilorin Ishaq Oloyede.
Management of the airline confirmed the incident in a statement.
“‎It was a normal flight to Ilorin and standard procedures of flight were followed. The aircraft landed safely at Ilorin Airport at 1645hrs as scheduled and decelerated to a low speed, and in turning off the active runway, veered off the pavement.
“At the directive of the Pilot In Command, our cabin crew calmly evacuated all the 59 passengers safely and they were moved to the airport terminal. No passengers or crew sustained any injuries whatsoever.
“Our Ilorin passengers have since collected their baggage and gone home while the Ibadan Airport bound passengers will continue on Overland Airways to Ibadan Airport,” the statement read.