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The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) has responded to social media reports concerning an aircraft registered with Nigerian marks 5N-BZZ, which was involved in a runway excursion earlier this year while operating for Xejet Airline in Nigeria.
In a statement issued by the SLCAA, the authority clarified that the incident occurred in May, when the aircraft veered off the runway during landing at an airport in Nigeria. A runway excursion is an event where an aircraft departs from the designated runway during takeoff or landing.
According to the Preliminary Report from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the incident resulted in no fatalities or injuries. The report also confirmed that there was no damage to the aircraft. The aircraft, which was operating with valid airworthiness certification and insurance at the time, did experience deflated left main wheel tires as a result of the excursion.
Key findings from the NSIB’s preliminary investigation include:
- The flight crew, who were licensed and certified for the flight, had negative toxicology test results.
- Visibility at the time of landing was reduced to 1,000 meters due to heavy rain and thunderstorms.
- A preceding aircraft had to conduct a missed approach because of the poor weather conditions.
- The runway was contaminated with water from heavy rainfall, contributing to the excursion.
- The aircraft overran the runway and stopped in the grass verge 3,043 meters from the runway’s threshold. Passengers were able to disembark via the main entry door using a ladder without injury.
The SLCAA further confirmed that the aircraft in question has since completed its scheduled maintenance checks in South Africa and passed its airworthiness inspections conducted by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Additionally, a team from the SLCAA’s Directorate of Flight Safety Standards recently completed a base inspection of Xejet’s operations in Nigeria, ensuring compliance with safety regulations. The inspection found no significant issues.
The SLCAA reassured the public that it remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of civil aviation in Sierra Leone. Only aircraft with valid airworthiness certification will be permitted to operate in the country’s airspace.
