An aircraft operated by Flybird Aircraft Management Services Limited, with registration number 5N-ISB, crash-landed at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano State on Sunday morning. The Abuja–Kano flight had 11 occupants onboard, comprising eight passengers and three crew members, all of whom safely disembarked without injuries or fatalities. Emergency protocols were immediately activated, ensuring the swift and safe evacuation of everyone on board.

Flybird Aircraft Management Services Limited confirmed the operational incident during the aircraft’s arrival at Kano airport. In a statement issued by its General Manager, Dr. Tracy Wilson, the company affirmed that the flight crew adhered strictly to established operational and safety procedures, successfully bringing the aircraft to a safe stop. Dr. Wilson reiterated Flybird’s commitment to safety and operational excellence, confirming that the aircraft has been secured and the incident formally reported to relevant aviation authorities.

A detailed technical inspection and investigation are currently underway, in line with regulatory requirements. Flybird has pledged full cooperation with aviation authorities as the investigation progresses. Flybird Aircraft, a non-scheduled operator based in Abuja, received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in June 2024. Seven months after obtaining its AOC, one of Flybird’s Accra-bound aircraft was involved in an incident that resulted in the loss of two engines mid-air, prior to this most recent event.

This incident adds to a series of similar occurrences within the aviation sector. On May 24, two individuals were injured when a training aircraft from the Aviation Training School crash-landed at Ilorin Airport in Kwara State. Additionally, on December 11, 2024, a cargo aircraft operated by Allied Air crash-landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja (NAIA) due to a landing gear failure. Another tragic incident occurred on October 24, 2024, when a helicopter crash in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, claimed three lives.