Posted by By Chinedu Eze on
Passengers including the Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Godswill Akpabio, were yesterday forced to disembark from Arik Air's 4.20 pm flight from Abuja to Lagos when the pilot noticed that one of the engines of the aircraft had developed fault.
Passengers including the Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Godswill Akpabio, were yesterday forced to disembark from Arik Air's 4.20 pm flight from Abuja to Lagos when the pilot noticed that one of the engines of the aircraft had developed fault.
THISDAY learnt from the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Akpabio, Mr. Usoro Usoro, who was also in the aircraft, that the plane was already fully boarded, the door closed and it was about to taxi to the runway when they heard a vibrating noise and shortly after, the Pilot, Capt Oke, announced that all the passengers should disembark.
"It was when we came down that the magnitude of what happened dawn on us, when some technicians working on the engine told us what could have happened had the plane taken off. They said one of the engines was leaking fuel and this could cause mid-air explosion."
He said that they learnt from some of the aides of the governor who escorted the governor to the airport that one of the engines was leaking fuel, while the other released a thick smoke.
"They told us that they were shouting at us to come down but we did not hear their shout" he said. It was however gathered last night that though provision was made for another plane to convey the passengers to Lagos, Akpabio however stayed back in Abuja.
Gbemiga Ogunleye, head of communications, Arik Air, confirmed to THISDAY that the aircraft developed technical problems, stating that when the pilot noticed that the engine number 1 of the aircraft was not working, he directed all the passengers to disembark.
"The aircraft was yet to take off. The pilot was doing routine check when he noticed that and arrangement was immediately made for another aircraft to come from Lagos to take the passengers."