Now Reading: NCAA Grounds Rano Air Plane After Mid-Air Engine Failure, Sparks Safety Concerns
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NCAA Grounds Rano Air Plane After Mid-Air Engine Failure, Sparks Safety Concerns
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) grounded a Rano Air Boeing 737-500 on June 29, 2025, after it suffered a mid-air engine failure during a Lagos-Kano flight carrying 120 passengers.
The incident, 30 minutes into the flight, forced an emergency landing at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, with no casualties reported. The NCAA, led by Director-General Chris Najomo, cited safety violations, noting the aircraft’s 15-year service history and overdue maintenance. The grounding, affecting 5% of Rano Air’s fleet, disrupts its 10 daily flights serving 500,000 passengers annually.
Investigations revealed the engine, a CFM56-3, experienced a 20% power loss, prompting a 72-hour NCAA audit of Rano Air’s 10 aircraft. The airline, operating since 2022, faces a N200 million fine and public backlash, with people demanding stricter regulations.
Nigeria’s aviation sector, valued at N1 trillion, has recorded 10 incidents in 2025, raising concerns about its 200 operational aircraft. Rano Air pledged full cooperation, aiming to resume flights by July 5 after a $2 million maintenance overhaul.
