Allied Air Plane Crash-Landed While on CBN Duty – NSIB

The NSIB confirms that an Allied Air cargo plane crash-landed while on an assignment for the Central Bank of Nigeria, prompting an ongoing investigation.

The Allied Air Boeing 737-400 Freighter, which crash-landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on December 11, 2024, was scheduled to pick up cargo for the Central Bank of Nigeria, according to Nigeria’s Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).

The bureau announced this in an initial report released on Saturday, nearly two months after beginning its investigation into the incident.

According to the report, on December 11, 2024, a Boeing 737-400F aircraft bearing the nationality and registration marks of 5N-JRT was operated by Allied Air Limited for a positioning flight intended to collect cargo for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The report states that the aircraft departed from Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at 09:11 and started its descent into Abuja at 09:44.

The aircraft had landed from Douala earlier that morning and was scheduled to complete six sectors with the same flight crew: Lagos-Abuja, Abuja-Sokoto, Sokoto-Abuja, Abuja-Yola, Yola-Abuja, and finally back to Lagos.

Although all occupants emerged unscathed, the NSIB confirmed that “the structural integrity of the cabin and cockpit remained intact. Everyone exited safely through the forward main door without injuries.”

It also provided information on the flight crew and aircraft status, stating that both the Captain and First Officer possessed valid licenses and medical certificates. Additionally, the aircraft had a current Certificate of Airworthiness and completed 101 landings since November 1, 2024, with Flaps 15 used in 85 instances.

It was observed that the weather conditions at the time were considered unrelated to causing the incident.

The report stated, “Weather conditions were favorable with no adverse meteorological factors reported. All navigational and communication equipment was operational except for the Airfield Lighting Panel System.”