The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has confirmed that the Allied Air Boeing 737-400 Freighter, which crash-landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on December 11, 2024, was on a positioning flight to collect cargo for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
This was disclosed in a preliminary report released on Saturday, nearly two months after the agency launched an investigation into the incident.
“On 11 December 2024, a Boeing 737-400F aircraft with nationality and registration marks 5N-JRT, operated by Allied Air Limited, was on a positioning flight to pick up cargo for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),” the report stated.
Flight Details and Incident Overview
According to the NSIB report, the aircraft departed Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at 09:11 and began its descent into Abuja at 09:44. Earlier that morning, the plane had arrived from Douala and was scheduled for six sectors: Lagos-Abuja, Abuja-Sokoto, Sokoto-Abuja, Abuja-Yola, Yola-Abuja, and Abuja-Lagos, all with the same flight crew.
Despite the crash-landing, all occupants exited the aircraft safely. “The structural integrity of the cabin and cockpit remained intact. All occupants exited safely through the forward main door without injuries,” the report confirmed.
Crew and Aircraft Condition
The investigation also confirmed that the flight crew and aircraft met all regulatory requirements. “Both the Captain and First Officer held valid licenses and medical certificates. The aircraft had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and had performed 101 landings since November 1, 2024, 85 of which used Flaps 15,” the report noted.
Weather conditions at the time were not considered a contributing factor. “Weather conditions were favourable with no adverse meteorological factors reported. All navigational and communication equipment, except the Airfield Lighting Panel System, were serviceable,” the report concluded.
The NSIB is expected to continue its investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident.
