The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded a Rano Air aircraft with registration number 5N-BZY after it experienced an engine failure mid-flight during operations between Kano, Sokoto, and Abuja.
The incident occurred at approximately 3:34 pm on Sunday, when engine one (1) of the aircraft began emitting smoke that entered both the cabin and cockpit. The crew swiftly responded by donning oxygen masks and activating emergency procedures. Thankfully, the smoke dissipated before landing, and the flight was completed safely without injuries.
Following standard safety protocol, the NCAA’s Directorate of Airworthiness ordered the aircraft grounded pending a full investigation and recertification of its airworthiness. Emergency services had been placed on standby prior to landing, and no passengers were harmed.
The aircraft was scheduled to operate a round-trip flight from Sokoto to Kano and onward to Abuja. The incident caused disruptions for passengers, with affected travelers to be accommodated in line with Rano Air’s obligations under consumer protection laws.
NCAA emphasized that the grounding was part of its strict safety oversight and reiterated its commitment to maintaining Nigeria’s solid aviation safety record. The authority noted that flights in Nigeria are cancelled or grounded at the slightest safety indication—aligning with global best practices.
Further updates will be released upon completion of the investigation into the aircraft’s malfunction.
