A United Airlines flight from Lagos, Nigeria, to Washington D.C. was forced to make an emergency return last Friday, leaving 38 passengers and crew members injured, six of them seriously.
Flight UA613, operated by a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, departed from Murtala Muhammed International Airport at 11:59 p.m. on January 23. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft experienced a “technical issue and unexpected movement,” prompting the flight to return. The plane landed safely at 3:22 a.m. on January 24.
Onboard were 245 passengers, eight flight attendants, and three pilots. According to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), four passengers and two crew members sustained serious injuries, while 27 passengers and five crew members suffered minor injuries.
Passengers with minor injuries were treated on-site and discharged immediately, while those with serious injuries were stabilized and transported to Duchess Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos, for further medical care.
Michael Achimugu, Nigeria’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), confirmed the incident and assured the public that there were no fatalities.
In a statement, United Airlines said, “We are working with aviation authorities in the U.S. and Nigeria to understand the cause of the incident.” The airline emphasized its commitment to the safety and well-being of its passengers and crew.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing as authorities in both countries collaborate to determine the cause of the unexpected aircraft movement.
