'We shouted Allah, Jesus' - Passenger recounts averted plane crash horror

An Aero Contractors Airline Flight 180 which took off from the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos and heading to Kaduna almost crashed yesterday, June 5, with 120 people onboard.

It was reported that the aircraft developed fault 20 minutes after departure as it experienced heavy vibration in the air for over one hour before it was eventually diverted to Abuja.

The Director of Muslim Rights Concern, Professor Ishaq Akintola, who was aboard the flight recounted the story to New Mail.

He said, “the plane lost altitude 20 minutes after take-off. We had to make use of the oxygen masks. We saw smoke outside the plane, probably coming from the engine compartment.

“At this time, the whole plane was thrown into commotion. Many passengers screamed and some fainted. Prayers upon prayers were offered. Some shouted Allah, others Jesus.”

Akintola said while the turbulence was going on, the crew announced that the plane would be diverted to Abuja.

He added, “While the pilot was making the announcement of the flight diversion, I noticed that his voice was trembling. He told us that Abuja was 120 miles away and that we would land in 25 minutes. But we were not sure we would make it.

“In fact, I quickly recited the Kalimah (the Quranic invocation of the oneness of Allah), believing that the end had come”

He said at about 9.00pm, the plane finally landed in Abuja and Aero officials told the shocked passengers that aircraft would be fixed hurriedly so that they could further their journey to Kaduna.

But Akintola said he refused to continue the trip on the same aircraft that almost crashed; rather he resulted to journey by road to his destination.

Akintola said, “As I am talking to you, I am now in a taxi taking me to Kaduna. They said they wanted to repair the plane and that we should wait so it takes us to Kaduna. Allah forbids. They asked how many of us wanted to disembark and almost everybody came out.”

The airline however released a statement confirming the incident.

It says, “Aero confirms that there was depressurisation in the aircraft cabin leading to the dropping of oxygen mask. And since Aero has a maintenance facility in Abuja, the flight to Kaduna was diverted to Abuja this evening to fix the problem.”