What happened
During an approach to Lagos-Murtala Muhammed Airport, the crew encountered challenging meteorological conditions characterized by heavy rainfall and significant wind activity. As the aircraft type approached the short final stage of the landing sequence, a sudden shift in wind direction occurred, introducing a strong tailwind component.
Due to this change in wind, the aircraft touched down approximately 1,000 meters beyond the runway threshold. The combination of the high-speed touchdown and the wet runway surface prevented the aircraft from decelerating sufficiently within the available pavement. Consequently, the aircraft overran the end of the runway and collided with a concrete drainage ditch structure. The impact caused the airframe to catch fire. While 65 individuals were successfully rescued from the scene, the accident resulted in 15 fatalities. The aircraft was completely destroyed during the event.
Findings
- The primary factor contributing to the accident was a sudden shift to a tailwind during the final approach.
- Heavy rain and strong winds created difficult landing conditions.
- The wet runway surface contributed to the inability to stop the aircraft before the runway end.