Mid-air Emergency: Why pilot chose Nigeria over closer airports, NAMA explains

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has clarified why United Airlines flight UAL 613 chose to return to Lagos rather than land at closer airports in West Africa after experiencing a mid-air emergency.

The flight, which departed Lagos for Washington Dulles on 24 January with 256 passengers and 11 crew members, encountered a sudden loss of altitude while flying over Côte d’Ivoire. Despite having the option to land in Bamako, Mali, or Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, the pilot opted to return to Lagos.

Abdullahi Musa, NAMA’s director of public affairs and consumer protection, explained that the decision was made at the pilot’s discretion based on his assessment of the situation.

“Despite having the option to land in Bamako or Abidjan, the pilot, based on his prerogative and assessment of the situation, decided to return to Nigeria, being the origin of the flight and where he probably considered safer for him to make a landing,” Musa said.

He emphasised that the flight adhered to all international aviation protocols before departing Lagos and that the emergency did not occur within Nigerian airspace.

READ ALSO: NCAA suspends Max Air over Kano near-crash incident

“For the avoidance of doubt, the reported incident involving an air return in the Nigerian airspace did not occur within Nigeria’s airspace,” he stated.

As the aircraft approached Lagos, air traffic control activated emergency protocols, including a standby medical response.

“Upon contact with the flight, ATC activated medical emergency services as requested by the pilot and also as required by laid-down industry procedures,” Musa added.

Passengers and crew received medical attention upon landing, and another United Airlines aircraft from Accra was dispatched to complete the journey.

Musa dismissed speculation about the Ghanaian aircraft’s role, stating it was strictly a rescue mission.

NAMA commended the pilot’s professionalism and reiterated its commitment to maintaining the highest airspace safety standards.