In a harrowing incident, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, recently recounted his miraculous escape from a potential plane crash at the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos State, South-West Nigeria.
The incident unfolded on September 5, as Adeleke and some of his aides prepared to board a private jet owned by his elder brother at the domestic wing of Lagos airport en route to Abuja.
What initially appeared to be a routine departure took a terrifying turn when the aircraft lost power in both of its engines and caught fire while on the runway, just moments before takeoff.
Investigations later revealed that the cause of this near-tragedy was a bird-related issue. Birds had constructed a nest in one of the aircraft's engines, leading to a phenomenon known as Foreign Object Damage (FOD).
This, in turn, caused a significant rise in engine temperature, ultimately resulting in an explosion. The gravity of the situation cannot be overstated.
However, what is perhaps more alarming is the suspicion that the two aircraft engines may have been tampered with prior to boarding.
Rasheed Olawale, the spokesperson for Governor Adeleke, raised concerns about the incident, suggesting that there are strong indications of foul play.
He stated that the aircraft in question was meticulously maintained and boasted a top-tier technical crew, making it an unlikely candidate for such an incident.
Olawale further emphasized that the claim of birds' nests causing the incident doesn't align with the facts. Typically, birds' nests are constructed using straws, not the binding wires found in this case.
The critical moment came just after boarding and less than two minutes after taxiing commenced on the tarmac. A sudden noise from the engines prompted the pilots to swiftly initiate passenger evacuation procedures, averting a potential catastrophe. The entire sequence of events unfolded within a mere five minutes.
While early reports from an internal investigation point toward sabotage, both local and international authorities are currently conducting thorough inquiries into the incident.
The situation underscores the importance of aviation safety and the need for vigilance in safeguarding against potential threats, whether natural or man-made.
Governor Adeleke's fortunate escape serves as a reminder of the value of strict adherence to safety protocols in the aviation industry.
