Majority of Nigerian air travelers have called for deeper investigations on the management and safety structures in Dana Airline.
Their strong views came as 49 passengers escaped death when the company’s air plane flying from Abuja overshot its runway at Port Harcourt International Airport on landing.
The Tuesday’s incident is coming less than two weeks after the emergency door of its MD 83 aircraft fell while taxiing to disembark passengers at the Abuja Airport, Dana Air again last night was involved in a major incident at the Port Harcourt Airport while landing.
A regular Abuja-Port Harcourt traveler told Business Hilights Bureau chief in Abuja that “Time has come for the relevant authorities to take another look at the running of Dana Air, especially on issues bordering on safety”.
“This is important because, just as we are worried on what could cause an emergency door of air plane to fall on landing, an aircraft from the same company had another deadly accident in Port Harcourt.
“We are worried that up till now, both NCAA and FAAN have not clearly explained to Nigerians what transpired during the flight that led to the falling off of an emergency door that ordinarily is supposed to be well sealed.
Another traveler averred that “Safety standards in the air are becoming an issue of concern and government must query Dana Air to explain why the nasty incidents are all about one in a statement issued in Lagos, the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Henrietta Yakubu confirmed the incident, saying “A Dana aircraft flight 9J0363, flying from Abuja to Port Harcourt airport, has overshot the Port Harcourt runway.
“The incident was suspected to have been caused by a heavy rain, which was accompanied by strong wind and storm in Port Harcourt.
“No casualty was recorded, as all passengers on board were safely evacuated.”
Earlier in his statement, Mr Sam Adurogboye, General Manager, Public Relations, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), confirmed the incident and revealed that the aircraft was partially damaged, after it overshot the runway.
Efforts to speak to the Corporate Affairs manager failed at press time on Wednesday night.
