The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has grounded a Rano Air aircraft with registration number 5N-BZY in Kano State, following an in-flight engine failure observed in its engine 1.

Industry experts commended the move by the regulator, stating that it was crucial to not only check the airline but to forestall such developments in the future.

The NCAA noted that the Kano-Sokoto flight made an air return after reporting the situation to the Air Traffic Control. Smoke was noticed in the cabin and flight deck, creating tension amongst passengers and crew. This was made known through a press statement from the authority on Monday.

According to the Directorate of Airworthiness at the NCAA, headed by Victor Foyea, Oxygen masks were donned. The appropriate safety protocols were initiated on the ground to ensure the aircraft’s safe landing.  Upon landing, the smoke dissipated, and the aircraft was without an immediate incident.

The NCAA instructed that the aircraft will remain grounded until the conclusion of investigations into the cause of the glitch. The authority noted that the aircraft that was scheduled to also airlift passengers out of Sokoto had been cancelled.

At the time of filing this report, the aircraft 5N-BYZ is still on the ground with engineers planning to work on it. The aviation regulatory body said it prioritises safety, ensuring the records are clear.

The statement partially reads, “The Rano aircraft 5N-BZY experienced a failure on its engine 1. Smoke was noticed in the cabin and flight deck. Oxygen masks were donned. The appropriate safety protocols were initiated on the ground for landing. Smoke dissipated.

“The pilot safely landed the aircraft without incident. More advanced countries have worse air incidents than Nigeria because, here, flights will get cancelled if there is the slightest safety concern.”

Efforts to speak with the airline were unsuccessful. Text messages and telephone calls put across to the Managing Director of the airline, Lawan Bakinzowo, were unattended to.

Meanwhile, an industry expert, Capt. Muhammad Badamosi said such incidents cannot be ruled out in the industry, adding that it is the handling of such development that will always matter.

He further hailed the NCAA for their timely intervention, saying, “What they have done is the best thing to do. Grounding the aircraft is the normal thing to do in such instances, but grounding the airline will not be right.”

Also speaking, an aircraft engineer, Air Vice Marshal Moses Onilede, said that until the report of the incident is published, the true cause of it can not be ascertained. He added that it was the right decision for the pilot to make an air return to avert an accident.

He said, “Yes, we should commend the pilot for immediately deciding to make an air return. Honestly, that is the best thing to do. Although many believe that even when an engine is lost, the other one(s) may still get you to your destination, but in aviation, safety is the core bedrock, and chances should not be taken.”