A quiet day at the airport quickly turned tense when smoke began seeping into the cabin of a Rano Air flight mid-air.
The aircraft, identified as 5N-BZY, suffered an engine malfunction that triggered an emergency response from the flight crew, who swiftly donned oxygen masks and prepared for a safe landing.
Thankfully, the smoke cleared before landing, and the captain safely landed the aircraft without further incident.
Swift Regulatory Action
Following the event, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) ordered Rano Air to ground aircraft 5N-BZY.
The Authority took this action as part of its strict enforcement of aviation safety protocols.
Currently, engineers are inspecting the aircraft to identify the root cause of the engine failure and smoke.
As a result, the incident disrupted passenger travel, particularly for those scheduled to depart from Sokoto.
Meanwhile, a rescue aircraft had already boarded passengers on the Abuja–Katsina route, making it impossible to reroute to Sokoto without major delays.
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To avoid displacing those passengers and disrupting the schedule, Rano Air cancelled the Sokoto leg.
Uncompromising Safety Standards
Despite the inconvenience, the NCAA emphasised its commitment to passenger safety.
It pointed out that it cancels flights at the slightest hint of technical issues—an approach that protects lives.
Consequently, Nigeria continues to maintain a strong aviation safety record, often outperforming countries with more advanced infrastructure.
Ongoing Investigation
Moreover, the NCAA confirmed that its safety standards align with international regulations and global best practices.
Once engineers conclude the investigation, the Authority will release further updates.
In the meantime, Rano Air must accommodate affected passengers according to consumer protection laws.