A bird strike forced an Aero Contractors Aircraft to make an air return a few minutes after takeoff at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport which left over 100 Lagos bound passengers stranded.
One of the Lagos bound passengers said that the plane took off at 9:30 am with a strange noise coming from its right engine which most of the passengers noticed.
The passenger added that shortly after takeoff, the pilot announced that he had to return to the airport due to the unusual noise, which later showed that a bird strike cracked the engine propeller (a mechanical device that rotates to push air or water), despite all engines being functional, normal, and within limits.
The passengers were debarked and were told by officials at the departure lounge that they are awaiting advice from the headquarters in Lagos within one hour which turned out not to be.
After more than four hours and no officials of the airline insight to disclose any communication from the headquarters, the distressed passengers the airport without alternative options left for them to travel.
However, later that day, the airline called to inform the passengers, some of whom had made alternative flight arrangements to their destination that a plane would be sent to fly them to Lagos at 11 pm.
An Aero Contractors Aircraft defended the decision of the pilot to make a return to the airport saying it prevented a likely crash.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority Sam Adurogboye, said it had been reported to the agency’s regional office in Kano saying the bird strike incident has been confirmed and the affected aircraft will be ferried to Lagos empty as required by the law.
The airline also defended its pilot action, saying it was a safety decision.
The airline said in a statement: “Aero Contractors regrets the inconveniences suffered by our passengers on flight N2142 which occurred this morning on March 21, 2021, on the Kano to Lagos flight due to a bird strike on the engine while taking off.
“For precautionary and safety reasons, Aero Contractors had to make arrangements to ferry the aircraft back to Lagos to enable our engineers to undertake a check on the engines and secure the approval of NCAA before returning it to service.
The aircraft was taken back to Lagos for further inspection after a close checkup with the joint approval of the NCAA and the Accident Investigation Bureau.
