Freetown, Sierra Leone — The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) has responded to recent social media discussions concerning an aircraft with Nigerian registration 5N-BZZ, involved in a runway incident earlier this year.
In a statement issued today, the SLCAA confirmed that the aircraft, which was operating under Xejet Airline in Nigeria, experienced a “runway excursion” in May.
A runway excursion refers to an incident where an aircraft veers off or overshoots the runway during landing or takeoff.
“The incident involved no fatalities or injuries, and the aircraft sustained no damage,” the statement read.
The preliminary investigation, conducted by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), outlined the circumstances surrounding the incident. It confirmed that the aircraft had a valid Airworthiness Certificate and insurance at the time of the excursion.
“Both the flight crew were licensed and certified, and toxicology tests returned negative results,” the SLCAA noted.
The report detailed that visibility was limited to 1,000 meters due to heavy rain and thunderstorms, leading to water accumulation on Runway 18L. The aircraft overran the end of the runway, veering off to the left and eventually stopping on the grass verge approximately 3,043 meters from the threshold. Passengers safely disembarked without injury using a ladder.
Following the incident, the aircraft underwent scheduled maintenance in South Africa and passed all necessary airworthiness inspections by Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority.
The SLCAA also conducted its own inspection of Xejet’s operations, with a team from the Directorate of Flight Safety Standards finding no significant issues.
SLCAA Director General Ms. Musayeroh Barrie reassured the public of the Authority’s commitment to aviation safety in Sierra Leone, emphasizing that only aircraft with valid airworthiness certifications would be permitted for commercial operations in the country.
“We prioritize the security and safety of civil aviation in Sierra Leone at all times,” Barrie affirmed.
