AN Azman Air aircraft has this evening suffered a major technical hitch and is grounded in the middle of the Runway 18L of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos causing flights cancellations since the aircraft has not been removed.
The aircraft, a Boeing 737-500 with registration 5N-SYS named Sani Yunusa Sarina coming in from one of the Northern States is said to have broken down with tires in completely tatters with reports of engine issues with various scathing marks.
The aircraft blockage has caused a complete closure of the Runway since 6:30pm today deterring other airlines from flying and causing cancellation of flights of several airlines with affected passengers taking out their frustrations on airport staff that are not aware of the situation.
And since Runway 18L operates daylight alone as it does not have air field lighting, and information reaching Nigerianflightdeck is that no one is sure when the disabled aircraft would be removed.
Nigerianflightdeck learnt from a reliable source that the same aircraft was grounded by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) last week.
Meanwhile, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has announced a temporary closure of Runway 18R/36L at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos.
The closure it said is due to a landing incident involving a Boeing 737 Azman Air aircraft with registration 5N SYS, and flight number ZQ2325. The aircraft had a tyre burst after landing on this runway.
All passengers and crew on board the aircraft were safely evacuated at 1908 hours, and officials of FAAN Air Rescue and Fire Fighting Services, AIB and NAHCO are already working to ensure the aircraft is towed out of the runway, so as to restore normalcy.
