- Passenger recounts experience
United Airlines said on Saturday that it is cooperating with Nigerian aviation authorities to ascertain the probable factors that led to its aircraft developing a technical hitch.
Following the hitch, the pilot initiated an air return, after the aircraft, sources hinted, had flown into the Cote D’ Ivore airspace.
The source hinted that the pilot was deliberating diversion to Ghana when the onboard navigation equipment, that had initially packed, came alive.
A passenger who was onboard the aircraft in a video message recounted how serious turbulence threw everyone into anxiety.
In a statement, United Airlines clarified the incident.
The statement reads: “Our flight from Lagos, Nigeria to Washington D.C. returned to Lagos after a technical issue and an unexpected aircraft movement. It landed safely in Lagos and four passengers and two flight attendants were seen at a hospital for minor injuries and have been released. We are working with aviation authorities in the U.S. and Nigeria to understand the cause.”
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In the video message, the passenger, who did reveal identity, said:” Please thank God for me. Last night we had a harrowing experience on United flight from Lagos to Washington DC. “The plane was spiralling out of control and lost its navigational aids and other tools. We had gone past Abidjan and were initially to make an emergency landing in Ghana. But the plane later regained all lost tools and we were able to come back to Lagos with some people injured including crew members. When we landed, we had to wait for medical personnel who took forever to come to the plane.
“We have no value for human life in this country and therefore are never prepared for emergencies.
“Having survived a plane with major technical issues, surviving the almighty Nigerian attitude seemed a bigger threat. May God heal this country.
“We were housed in a hotel near the airport. I am still traumatized, like many other passengers. The flight has been cancelled due to a technical issue.
“Please thank God for all of us who survived this.”
