Flight activities resumed at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Sunday, after the facility was closed briefly by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
Sunday PUNCH had reported that the airport was closed by the Federal Government as it carried out investigations into the private jet accident that occurred at the facility on Friday night.
The aircraft, which crash-landed close to the runway, disrupted flight activities at the airport, as accident investigators were deployed to the scene.
But sources at the airport confirmed to our correspondent on Sunday that the airport had been opened to operations, as a domestic airline had already resumed operations there.
“It was shut down briefly for yesterday (Saturday) only, but reopened for operations this (Sunday) morning.
Overland resumed flights this (Sunday) morning,” a senior official at the airport, who pleaded not to be named due to lack of authorisation, stated.
Officials of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau had confirmed on Saturday morning that an aircraft crash-landed at the airport the previous night, but stressed that there was no casualty.
They stated that investigators from the bureau had been sent to the scene of the accident, and promised to provide further details as they unfold.
“Yes. Investigators are on ground at Ibadan. Further details shall be given as they unfold,” the spokesperson, NSIB, Tunji Oketumbi, stated.
The General Manager of the State Fire Service, Yemi Akinyinka, had also confirmed the incident. “Yes, it is true. Our men are on their way but I don’t have details now. You will be updated,” he stated.
The aircraft was operated by FLINT AERO, as it departed Abuja to Ibadan and crashed short of the runway in Ibadan.
The HS25B aircraft with call sign 5NAMM reportedly had 10 passengers and three crew onboard,and was airborne Abuja at 18.41hrs, but crashed into the bush short of the runway at about 19.21hrs.
Although there was no fatality, sources said the aircraft sustained substantial damage, as all passengers and crew were safely evacuated.
Also in a statement on Saturday, the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NSIB, James Odaudu, had said the agency was notified.
He said the NSIB had “commenced investigation into the accident involving an HS 125 aircraft with Nationality and Registration Marks 5N-AMM belonging to Flint Aero, which occurred at about 08:21pm (Local Time) on November 3, 2023.
“The aircraft, with 10 passengers and three crew members onboard was en-route Ibadan from Abuja. The aircraft, on final approach to landing Runway 22, Ibadan Airport crashed short of the runway.
“There was no fatality, as all passengers and crew were safely evacuated. As the investigating agency, NSIB needs and hereby solicits for your assistance.”
Odaudu said the bureau wants “the public to know that we would be amenable to receiving any video clip, relevant evidence, or information any members of the public may have of the accident; that can assist us with this investigation.”
