Aviation Safety: FAAN confirms 6 seriously injured in United Airlines’ flight emergency return to Lagos

 

*The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria explains how ‘all passengers and crew disembarked safely, but six individuals sustained serious injuries after a United Airlines flight UA613 made an emergency landing Friday, January 24, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, in Lagos

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has confirmed that six individuals sustained serious injuries after a United Airlines flight UA613 made an emergency landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, in the early hours of Friday, January 24, 2025.

ConsumerConnect reports the United Airlines flight bound for Washington, D.C., in the United States (US) had returned to its point of origin Lagos, declaring an emergency landing due to reported technical issues.

The Boeing 787-8, en route from Lagos to Washington Dulles International Airport, had 245 passengers, eight flight attendants, and three pilots aboard.

Speaking on the incident, Obiageli Orah, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at FAAN, in an update issued Friday, in Lagos, affirmed while all passengers and crew safely disembarked, four passengers and two crew members suffered serious injuries, with 27 passengers and five crew members sustaining minor injuries in the process.

Orah stated: “The United Airlines Boeing 787-800 departed Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, at 23.59 p.m. on Thursday, but made air return and landed safely at 3.22 a.m. on Friday.

“On board were 245 adults and 11 crew members.

“The team of Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services, Aviation Medical and Aviation Security were already at the gate when the aeroplane parked for deboarding at D31 without incident, and the door was opened at 3.37 a.m.”

The aviation sector regulatory agency further said: “While all passengers and crew disembarked safely, four passengers and two crew members sustained serious injuries, and additional 27 passengers and five crew members had minor injuries.

“The rescue team responded swiftly and effectively, having been on alert and standby.”

She also noted that the injured passengers were transported to medical facilities, including the MMA Clinic and Duchess Hospital, in Ikeja, while those with minor injuries received first aid and were discharged. According to FAAN, other passengers were accommodated at a hotel.

Orah in the statement, however, confirmed that the United Airlines’ aircraft involved in the incident did not sustain major damage, as she assured of providing Nigerians with further updates as investigations continue.