The Accident Investigation Bureau – Nigeria (AIB-N) has launched an investigation into the Overland Airways flight that caught fire on its descent on Wednesday evening.

The Lagos-bound aircraft experienced an engine issue on approach to Lagos airport and was forced to make an emergency landing on the international runway.

The aircraft’s 33 passengers and four crew all disembarked unscathed by the incident.

Spokesperson for AIB-N, Tunji Oketumbi, yesterday, said the bureau AIB was notified of the serious incident, adding that investigators had been dispatched to conduct an investigation into the occurrence.

According to the Overland Airways management, at around 7.50pm on the day of the incident the plan experienced high-turbine temperatures on one of its engines.

The airline’s statement said: “This occurred in the approach phase of flight and the aircraft landed very safely as the Crew skilfully implemented their standard procedures for such abnormal situations.

“All 33 passengers remained calm through the process and safely disembarked row by row in accordance with post COVID-19 procedures after the Aircraft came to a halt on the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos runway 18 Right. No passenger was hurt in any way.

“Overland Airways salutes the professional interventions of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Accident Investigation Bureau Nigeria (AIB-N) which were very prompt and reassuring.

“Overland Airways regrets any inconvenience to its passengers and assures the travelling public of its full commitment to safety of its services and passengers.”