Arik’s Planes Collide @ Lagos Airport

Two planes belonging to Arik Air, yesterday, brushed each other while manoeuvring out of the apron at the General Aviation Terminal, GAT, of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

The two planes had their wing tips damaged and have been grounded to allow further investigation into the incident.

Mr. Adebanji Ola, spokesman of the airline, said in a statement: “Two of our aircraft, Boeing 737-800NG were this afternoon (yesterday) involved in a wing-tip brush at the General Aviation Terminal, GAT, of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

“One of the aircraft, 5N-MJP, was marshalled out of the ramp for a scheduled flight, when its wing brushed that of another aircraft, 5N-MJQ, parked on the ramp.

“There were no incidences as the safety of passengers was not jeopardized. We have grounded the two aircraft and are looking into the incident.”

A similar incidence happened recently at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2, MMA2, in Lagos, when there was a ground collision of two aircraft belonging to FirstNation Airways.

Another similar incident also occurred at the airport on July 6, following the collision of two aircraft belonging to Emirates and Hak Air.

The incident, which happened at about mid-day, involved two Airbus 330 conveying no fewer than 250 passengers. The two aircraft had their bodies partially damaged.

One of the aircraft was taxing from the runway to MMA2 to disengage passengers, while the other aircraft was preparing to take off to Port Harcourt Airport from the same terminal.

It was alleged that the pilot may have been misdirected to the wrong part of the apron.