Safety Bureau recommends inspection of Flybird's failed aircraft engines

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released the preliminary report on its ongoing investigation into the incident involving a Hawker 900XP aircraft, recommending the inspection of Flybird’s failed aircraft engines.

The aircraft with nationality and registration marks 5N-KAL was operated by Flybird Aircraft Management Services Limited on December 6, 2024. During the aircraft’s climb out from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (DNAA), Abuja, en route to Kotoka International Airport (DGAA), Accra, Ghana.

The preliminary report signed by Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), noted that during the climb at flight level 260, the crew reported hearing a loud bang from Engine Number 2, followed by a temperature increase and vibrations.

The crew reduced engine power and oil in an emergency, requesting an air return to Abuja. “While descending, Engine Number 2 experienced a second temperature spike, and the flight crew later observed that Engine Number 1 was unresponsive to thrust commands.

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“The aircraft landed safely at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 18:16 local time. All four occupants – three crew members and one passenger, disembarked unhurt, and no damage to the aircraft was reported,” the report stated.

The NSIB in the report recommended a detailed inspection of both engines to identify the root cause of the failure and thrust anomalies. “Further review of the engine maintenance records is also ongoing,” the report stated

The NSIB said the investigation is still in progress, and the final report will provide comprehensive conclusions and safety recommendations to enhance aviation safety.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.