The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has clarified issues concerning a recent incident involving a United Airlines flight UAL 613.
Recall that the airlines’ Boeing 787-8 flight registered as N27903 departed the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos departed Lagos en route Washington Dulles at 23:59hrs on Thursday, January 23, 2025, declared emergency some hours after takeoff and returned to the aerodrome at 03.22hrs on Friday, January 24, 2025.
While all passengers and crew disembarked safely, four passengers and two crew members sustained serious injuries and an additional 27 passengers and five crew members had minor injuries.
Making some clarifications on the incident, spokesman for NAMA, Mr Abdullahi Musa said in a statement that the “reported incident involving an air return in the Nigerian airspace did not occur within the country’s airspace.”
He said the explanation became necessary following what he described as “unsubstantiated reports and analyses” by “certain aviation experts” whose commentary, according to him “is borne out of either inadequate information or misinformation.”
For the avoidance of doubt, Musa said the reported incident involving an air return in the Nigerian airspace did not occur within the country’s airspace.
He further said the pilot fulfilled all departure protocols in accordance with international aviation standards.
“Approximately 2 hours and 32 minutes after departure, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude while over Côte d’Ivoire’s airspace. Despite having the option to land in Bamako or Abidjan, the pilot, based on his prerogative and assessment of the situation, decided to return to Nigeria, being the origin of the flight and where he probably considered safer for him to make a landing rather than Bamako or Cote d’Ivoire where he experienced the loss of altitude.
“Upon contact with the flight, ATC activated medical emergency services as requested by the pilot and also as required by laid down industry procedures. All hands were on deck to receive the aircraft on landing. Lagos Area Control Centre picked the flight 180 nautical miles from Lagos. It activated a medical emergency stand-by and guided the flight to a safe landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
“Upon arrival, emergency protocols were immediately activated by NAMA’s Air Traffic Control (ATC) and ground medical teams, ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew onboard. Another aircraft belonging to the airline flew to Lagos from Accra to rescue the passengers having received treatment by the Nigerian medical personnel. Contrary to insinuations this aircraft from Ghana was strictly on a rescue mission and nothing more.
“We emphasise that the airline has not violated any airspace regulations and commend the pilot’s professionalism and judgment in prioritizing the safety of everyone onboard. NAMA remains committed to upholding the highest standards of airspace safety and ensuring that all operations adhere to international best practices.
“While hoping that this clarification would disabuse the minds of unsuspecting air travelers and reassure them of the safety of the Nigerian airspace, we also implore analysts to obtain authentic information from appropriate quarters before commenting on critical national issues,” Musa said in the statement.
