Forty-nine passengers on Tuesday escaped death after a Dana Air plane overshot the runway of the Port Harcourt Airport. The incident which occurred less than two weeks after the same airline had emergency door issues in one of its aircraft sparked outrage among Nigerians.

Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Lagos.

Yakubu said: “A Dana aircraft flight 9J0363, flying from Abuja to Port Harcourt airport, has overshot the Port Harcourt runway.

“The incident was suspected to have been caused by a heavy rain, which was accompanied by strong wind and storm in Port Harcourt.

“No casualty was recorded, as all passengers on board were safely evacuated.”

Mr Sam Adurogboye, General Manager, Public Relations, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), also confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said the aircraft was partially damaged after it overshot the runway.

“I learnt the runway has been closed but it will be reopened before the next 30 minutes after inspection has been carried out on it.

“Forty-nine passengers were on board and safely evacuated. The aircraft came in from Abuja to Port Harcourt, “he said.

One of the outraged Nigerians, Mrs Bola Adegoke, told our reporter: “It is time for Nigerian government to look into the affairs of Dana airline before we are thrown into another national mourning. The relevant authorities should probe this matter to find out whether the pilot was cleared for landing or whether the aircraft itself was fit to fly”.

Another Nigerian, Dike Igwebike, who said he is a frequent flyer said there was urgent and compelling need to probe Dana Airline and monitor very closely its operations. He recalled the recent door incident, adding that these may be warning signs. “We must not ignore such signs”, he said.