Plane Crashlands in Ilorin, 63 Escape Death

                                 

          Fifty nine passengers and four crew members escaped death by the whiskers on Saturday when an Overland plane from Abuja overshot the runway at the Ilorin airport.A statement by the General Manager, Public Affairs, of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. Fan Ndubuoke, on Saturday, said no life was lost in the incident, which he added, was already being investigated.The statement read, “An Overland flight 1186, an ATR 72 aircraft with Registration number 5N-BPG from Abuja airport to Ilorin, carrying fifty nine passengers and four crew members,veered off the runway at low speed after a normal landing at the Ilorin Airport.

        “The incident which occurred today Saturday, November 29, at 4.45pm, has no casualty recorded. However, the Accident and Prevention Bureau in conjunction with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has begun an investigation into the cause of the incident.“The authority wishes to use this medium to reassure Nigerians that safety of the traveling public is still paramount and cannot be compromised.”A source told one of our correspondents that three professors –a former Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. Ishaq Oleyee, Prof. Lanre Badmus and one unnamed professor — were on board the flight.

       One of the passengers, Mr. Ayuba Balami, commended the pilot for showing great experience by maneuvering the plane to safety.“Our Ilorin passengers have since collected their baggage and gone home while the Ibadan Airport bound passengers will continue on Overland Airways to Ibadan Airport.”