Private Jet Flying Nigerian Minister of Power , Adelabu Crash-lands at Ibadan , May not have Necessary Permit For Commercial Flying.

• The HS25B aircraft with call sign 5NAMM reportedly had 10 passengers and three crew onboard

• Aircraft was airborne Abuja at 18.41hrs, but crashed into the bush short of the runway at about 19.21hrs.

• Aircraft returned from maintenance abroad recently, and had a landing incident at Ibadan.

A private aircraft, with registration number 5N-AMM, carrying the Nigerian Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu and his associates, has crash-landed in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on 3rd November.

The chartered aircraft, Flint Short Aero, an Raytheon Hawker 800 (twin-jet) (H25B) aircraft , was also said to have had an initial contact with the control tower at 18:56 seeking an extension, which was granted by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

The pilot had been cleared for an RNAV approach to Runway 22 of Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport (IBA/DNIB) , Ibadan. But the plane skidded off the runway. Sources say, the aircraft landed short of the threshold by about 50 metres and skidded into a bushy ditch close to the runway.

However, Emergency responders did a commendable job , Quick and efficient action allowed all passengers and crew members to be safely evacuated.

The incident happened after the Nigerian Metrological Agency, NiMET, issued a travel warning based on an unstable weather.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had also advised pilots and airline operators to exercise caution over hazardous weather as the dry season approaches.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, has been closely monitoring the incident. Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NSIB, James Odaudu, had said the agency was notified. He added,

 “commenced investigation into the accident involving an HS 125 aircraft with Nationality and Registration Marks 5N-AMM belonging to Flint Aero, which occurred at about 08:21pm (Local Time) on November 3, 2023."

Some sources claim that the aircraft had no permission to operate commercial charter flights as it is registered under a Permit for Non-Commercial Flights (PNCF). 

In Nigeria, PNCF holders don't have to pay the 5% regulatory fees that AOC holders are required to, and the regulatory requirements for pilot training, ground staff training and aircraft maintenance are also less strident because PNCF aircraft are not under any circumstances supposed to carry paying passengers.

Flight activities have resumed at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport on Sunday, after the facility was closed briefly by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria owing to investigations on this incident of serious nature.

Pictures Courtesy : Naija and Eghosa

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