Following a widespread panic on a nearly-escaped Boeing 737-300 crash, the Ethiopian Airline has confirmed the turbulent landing as a go-around executed for a better and smooth landing.
Firihiewot Mekonnen, the General Manager, Ethiopian Airlines, Nigeria confirmed on Thursday that its aircraft had departed from Addis Ababa on its way to Lagos, when it encountered bad weather during landing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos on Wednesday.
The flight had on board the former head of state, Olusegun Obansanjo and 393 other Nigeria.
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She said such decisions by the pilot was in consonance with the safety standards of the industry, as pilots are encouraged to make similar go-around in such cases.
Mekonnen said the plane made a safe and normal landing at the second attempt.
In an exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Obasanjo narrated his ordeal,
“I was on Ethiopian Airline. Rain just came down heavily.
“The pilot thought he could land. And he landed. He touched down. But I think he took a swift decision that he had to take off again.
“So he took off. If he did not, I think he probably would have overrun the runway. He then apologized and said he would try to land again. He tried again, and we landed safely. And we all clapped.” Obasanjo said.
The former Nigeria president was returning from a stakeholders dialogue on continental trade and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA) which ended on Tuesday in Addis Ababa.
Obasanjo, and 393 other Nigerians, reportedly escaped death on May 29 on an Ethiopian Airline at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport. The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) said.
Report states that passengers on board included prominent Nigerians such as Ambassador Ayoola Olukanni, Director General of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).
Also, Prof Samson Tunde Adebayo, the Director of Ports Inspection, National Agency For Food And Drug Administration And Control (NAFDAC) and other nationals were included.
The passenger aircraft, ET-901, had departed the Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa, at about 9:10 a.m., Ethiopian time; 7 a.m Nigerian time.
There was no casualty reported in the incident.