The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded a Rano Air aircraft with registration number 5N-BZY following an engine failure involving its number 1 engine.
According to the NCAA, smoke was detected in both the aircraft’s cabin and flight deck, prompting the crew to initiate emergency procedures. The Directorate of Airworthiness reported that oxygen masks were deployed, and safety protocols were activated on the ground to facilitate a safe landing.
As a precaution, the NCAA has ordered that the aircraft remain grounded until a full investigation into the incident is completed. Engineers are currently inspecting the aircraft to determine the cause of the engine failure and the origin of the smoke.
In a statement, the agency emphasized its unwavering commitment to passenger safety, noting:
“The rescue aircraft intended to pick up passengers from Sokoto had already boarded those traveling from Abuja to Katsina. Offloading them would have created operational challenges, so the Sokoto flight was cancelled.”
The affected aircraft, 5N-BZY, remains on the ground with technical teams working to resolve the issue. The NCAA reiterated that safety remains its top priority, adding that flight cancellations in Nigeria are often triggered by even the slightest safety concerns—a practice it described as stricter than in many advanced countries.
