The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has ordered the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to inspect all Allied Air (4W, Lagos) aircraft for potential mechanical and structural vulnerabilities, including flap and landing gear systems.
This follows the bureau's preliminary report of an accident on December 11, 2024, involving B737-400(SF) 5N-JRT (msn 26081) during a positioning flight between Lagos and Abuja to pick up cargo for the Central Bank of Nigeria. The aircraft had arrived from Douala, Cameroon earlier in the morning.
The accident occurred during the final approach at Abuja when the aircraft's flaps failed to reach the commanded position. As the aircraft touched down on the runway, the right main landing gear detached, causing the engine nacelle to scrape along the runway until the aircraft veered to the right and stopped on the grass. The aircraft also suffered two main wheel tyre bursts. The crew was unharmed.
According to the NSIB, its ongoing inspection will focus on the right main landing gear assembly, inspecting the flap drive system components, and further testing of the aircraft's main wheel tyres.
Allied Air Limited was established in 1998 and has an air operator's certificate (AOC) valid until July 30, 2026. Its fleet consists of two B737-400(SF)s and one B737-800(SF).
The Lagos-based cargo specialist operates scheduled and charter services in Nigeria and throughout Africa, with key destinations being Accra (Ghana), Freetown (Sierra Leone), Monrovia Roberts (Liberia), Entebbe (Uganda), and Malabo (Equatorial Guinea). It also operates regular services to Liège (Belgium).
ch-aviation has reached out to Allied Air for comment.
