Accident Details
On 11 December 2024, a Boeing 737-400F aircraft with registration 5N-JRT, operated by Allied Air Limited, was involved in an accident at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (DNAA) in Abuja, Nigeria. The aircraft was on a positioning flight from Lagos to Abuja as flight AJK 206, with a planned schedule of six sectors. Onboard were six persons: two flight crew, two engineers, and two personnel from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The aircraft had departed Lagos at 09:11:44 h under an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan carrying five hours and 30 minutes of fuel. The First Officer served as Pilot Flying, and the Captain as Pilot Monitoring.
Flight Sequence
After a cruise at Flight Level 350, descent began at 09:44:07 h. The aircraft received radar vectors and approach clearances from Abuja Radar, including heading instructions and descent to 3,600 ft and later a right base for Runway 22. The approach continued with communications with Abuja Tower, which cleared the aircraft to land after preceding traffic. During the approach, the crew noted that Flaps 30 could not be deployed; they elected to land with Flaps 15, determining Vref+5 knots as 145+5 knots. The aircraft touched down at 10:04:24 h at a speed of 157 knots CAS. The Cockpit Voice Recorder captured the Captain's instruction "PUSH IT DOWN" followed by a thump, then a fire warning aural annunciation and landing gear horn. The flight crew described the touchdown as smooth, with automatic deployment of speed brakes and reversers. Shortly after, a bang was heard from the right side, and the aircraft collapsed to its right. The number 1 engine nacelle dragged on the runway for 1,172 meters before the aircraft veered off to the right of the centerline, coming to a stop in the grass verge after a 170-degree right turn. The flight crew shut down the engines and secured the aircraft, and all occupants exited through the forward main door without injuries. The accident occurred at 10:04 h during daytime in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC).
Investigation
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has published a preliminary report and is compiling a final report. The final report awaits the results of a detailed inspection and examination of the Right Main Landing Gear Assembly by Boeing. This interim statement was issued on the first anniversary of the accident in accordance with Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.