512 KABO Air Passengers escape another plane crash

Barely 36 hours after a plane crashed in Lagos, killing 13 persons, tragedy was averted, on Friday night, in Sokoto, after an aircraft with 494 intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia and 18 crew members on board, lost two tyres while landing.

The technical crew of Kabo Air plane saved the day as it confronted the emergency and taxied to a halt. 

The flight, which originated from Kano, was said to be at the Abubakar Sadiq III International Airport, Sokoto, to pick some high profile passengers before heading to Saudi Arabia.

The incident happened just as a Benin-City bound aircraft could not land and had to return to Abuja.

The plane reportedly stayed in the air for two hours for the 30-minute Abuja-Benin flight and then returned to Abuja.

Heavy rains in Benin-City were blamed for the inability of the pilot to land the plane at the Edo State capital.

The Sokoto incident was said to have thrown the plane passengers, airport workers and security agents into panic.
 

A source said the tyres were hit by a sharp object on the runway as the plane touched down.The Kabo plane was immediately ground at the airport by regulatory agencies pending investigation and determination of what caused the tyre blowout.

An attempt to land the plane at nearby Esubi Airstrip, Warri proved abortive too, following which the pilot allegedly informed the passengers that he could not lose more aviation fuel trying to land the plane, and then opted to fly back to Abuja, a decision the passengers applauded.

On return, Abuja was said to have had rainstorm too but with a well-lit runway that was not waterlogged. The plane landed successfully to the relief of the passengers.

A good number of the passengers were said to have opted for a refund which the airline obliged, while others resolved to still travel with the flight rescheduled for 9: 30am yesterday.