A United Airlines flight headed for Washington, DC in the United States has returned to Lagos, announcing an emergency landing due to suspected technical troubles.
Videos captured by passengers show chaos during the flight, with trays, food, and other objects scattered across the floor of the aircraft, as they were heard praying.
The flight, carrying 245 passengers, 8 flight attendants, and 3 pilots, landed, with some passengers reportedly sustaining injuries.
According to the airline’s management, the flight, with registration number UA613, was en route from Lagos to Washington DC but returned to Lagos for repairs and technical adjustments.
The management also stated that the flight landed safely, and first responders were on hand to assist with the reported injuries.
According to a statement released on Friday by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the aircraft conducted an air return approximately 03:22 a.m. and landed safely.
The statement, issued by Obiageli Orah, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, indicated that all passengers and crew members safely disembarked.
However, she stated that four passengers and two crew members were seriously injured, while 27 passengers and five staff members had minor injuries.
“The United Airlines Boeing 787-800 departed Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, at 23.59 p.m. on Thursday, but made air return and landed safely at 3.22 a.m. on Friday,” Orah said.
“On board were 245 adults and 11 crew members.
“The team of Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services, Aviation Medical and Aviation Security were already at the gate when the aeroplane parked for deboarding at D31 without incident, and the door was opened at 3.37 a.m.
“While all passengers and crew disembarked safely, four passengers and two crew members sustained serious injuries, and additional 27 passengers and five crew members had minor injuries.
“The rescue team responded swiftly and effectively, having been on alert and standby.
“Aviation medical ambulances transported the injured passengers, some to the MMA Clinic and others to the Headquarters Clinic,” the statement read in part.
Orah stated that passengers with minor injuries were given first aid and discharged, while those with more serious injuries were stabilised and transferred to Duchess Hospital in Ikeja.
She further noted that some passengers were taken to a hotel for accommodation and assured that the aircraft did not sustain any significant damage.
She stated that the authority would continue to provide updates.
