A Rano Air aircraft, operating a domestic flight from Sokoto to Abuja, suffered an engine failure mid-flight, forcing the crew to execute an emergency landing after smoke was detected in the cabin and cockpit, Nigeria’s aviation regulator said on Monday.
The affected aircraft, registered 5N-BZY, reportedly experienced a failure in engine 1, leading to the presence of smoke onboard. The flight crew followed standard emergency procedures, including the use of oxygen masks, and safely brought the aircraft back to the ground. All passengers were unharmed.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said the aircraft has been grounded and ordered a full investigation into the incident by its Directorate of Airworthiness.
“This flight has been cancelled and the aircraft remains grounded pending a detailed safety inspection,” said Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, via social media platform X.
Achimugu reiterated the authority’s commitment to aviation safety in Nigeria, noting that the country frequently cancels flights when there is any indication of potential risk.
“More advanced countries have worse air incidents than Nigeria,” he said. “But here, flights are grounded immediately at the slightest safety concern.”
The Sokoto to Abuja flight, which was also scheduled to continue to Katsina, was cancelled after the emergency response. Aviation authorities said all necessary protocols were followed, and further updates will be issued upon completion of the investigation.
The incident adds to ongoing scrutiny of Nigerian domestic airline safety standards, though NCAA officials maintain that Nigeria’s compliance record remains strong.
