The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded Rano Air’s aircraft with registration number 5N-BZY after it experienced an engine failure mid-flight.
The incident occurred during a flight from Kano to Sokoto when smoke was detected in both the cabin and cockpit, traced to the aircraft’s engine 1.
In response, the flight crew swiftly activated emergency procedures and donned oxygen masks.
Thankfully, the smoke dissipated before landing, and the captain successfully landed the aircraft without further issues.
Following the scare, the NCAA’s Directorate of Airworthiness ordered the grounding of the aircraft pending the outcome of a full safety investigation.
Engineers have been deployed to inspect the aircraft and determine the root cause of the engine malfunction and cabin smoke.
The NCAA emphasized that while such incidents may disrupt flight operations, passenger safety remains its top priority.
The Authority reassured the public of Nigeria’s strong aviation safety record, noting that even countries with more developed aviation infrastructure often report more severe incidents.
“The NCAA prioritizes safety above all else. Our safety standards are clear, and no flight is allowed to proceed if there’s any safety concern,” the agency stated.
