Fire Warning Alert On Azman Air Is False – AIB

By LOVETH AZODO, Lagos

Following the air return on Thursday, 7 November, 2019 involving a Boeing 737-500 aircraft operated by Azman Air, the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has said that the fire warning alert was false.

According to a statement by the Bureau, the aircraft with registration marks 5N-SYS departed Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos at 15:48 local time was enroute Abuja with 90 persons and 5 crew members onboard.

It stated “Information gathered from ATC indicated that the crew reported fire onboard at 15:55 local time and thereafter declared a ‘May Day’.”

“The crew requested for an air return to Lagos for landing and emergency services (ARFFS) standby.”

“The crew later downgraded the emergency to Urgency –PANPAN and the aircraft landed safely at 15: 57 local time. All the occupants disembarked normally and safely with no injury.”

“The AIB team of safety investigators dispatched for assessment / investigation of the incident discovered that the fire warning alert was FALSE.”

“The Bureau can authoritatively confirm that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has declared the aircraft to ‘be in Airworthy condition to return to service’.  The aircraft has therefore been returned to service accordingly.”