By Saidu Jalloh, Reporter D.S
Passengers aboard an Air Sierra Leone aircraft experienced a scare on May 5 when the plane encountered a technical problem shortly after takeoff, necessitating an emergency landing.
According to eyewitness accounts, the flight had been airborne for approximately ten minutes when the crew received a cockpit alert, prompting them to initiate an immediate return to Murtala Mohammed International Airport. The flight, which departed Freetown for Lagos at 14:17, initiated an “air return” at 14:35 as a precautionary safety measure.
Air Sierra Leone emphasized that passenger safety was not compromised and that the crew followed standard operating procedures throughout the incident. Upon landing, firefighters were present to conduct a swift evacuation of all passengers as a precaution.
“They said it was a technical problem. Only God saved our lives,” said one witness.
Following the incident, the airline’s maintenance team, in coordination with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), conducted an inspection that revealed a sensor had triggered a false alarm, with no actual mechanical issues present. After receiving full technical clearance, the aircraft resumed its journey to Freetown at 17:55 with all passengers on board.
Augustine Bona, Head of Media, Communications & Public Relations for Air Sierra Leone, stated, “At Air Sierra Leone, safety is not just a policy – it is our promise.” He urged the public to rely on official communication channels for updates and information.
For more information, contact Daily Scope Newspaper at dailyscopemedia@gmail.com.
