The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau has released a preliminary report on the Allied Air cargo plane crash that occurred on December 11, 2024.
According to the NSIB’s report on Saturday, the plane was en route to pick up cargo for the Central Bank of Nigeria at the time of the crash.
“On 11 December 2024, a Boeing 737-400F aircraft with nationality and registration marks 5N-JRT, operated by Allied Air Limited was on a positioning flight to pick up cargo for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),” the report reads.
The report indicates that the aircraft took off from Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at 09:11 and began its descent into Abuja at 09:44.
“Upon landing, “The aircraft touched down at a speed of 157 knots. A loud bang was reported from the right side upon touchdown. The right main landing gear assembly detached, causing the No. 2 engine nacelle to drag along the runway for approximately 1,172 meters before the aircraft veered off the runway. The aircraft eventually came to rest on the grass verge, “facing 170 degrees from the runway heading.”
Despite the severity of the incident, all occupants escaped unharmed. The report confirmed that “the structural integrity of the cabin and cockpit remained intact. All occupants exited safely through the forward main door without injuries.”
Concerning the flight crew and aircraft status, the NSIB reported that “both the Captain and First Officer held valid licenses and medical certificates. The aircraft had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and had performed 101 landings since November 1, 2024, 85 of which used Flaps 15.”
Initial safety findings indicated that “no evidence of a hard landing was detected. There were no snags recorded in the aircraft’s technical logbook.”
In light of its findings, the NSIB issued an immediate safety recommendation: “Safety Recommendation 2025-001: The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority should inspect all Allied Air aircraft for potential mechanical and structural vulnerabilities, specifically focusing on the flap and landing gear systems.”
