An aircraft belonging to Rano Air Limited, with registration number 5N-BZY, has been officially grounded by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) after suffering an engine failure mid-flight. The incident happened on Sunday, June 30, 2025, during a scheduled commercial flight from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja to Sultan Abubakar III International Airport in Sokoto.
According to a statement released by Rano Air on Monday and also posted on their official X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, the engine failure occurred while the aircraft was already in the air. The flight crew reportedly noticed a problem with one of the engines during the journey and acted swiftly by following emergency protocols.
Despite the technical fault, the pilots managed to land the aircraft safely in Sokoto without any casualties or injuries. The airline stated, “The aircraft experienced an in-flight issue with one of its engines. Following established safety protocols, our highly trained flight crew executed all necessary procedures and safely landed the aircraft at Sokoto Airport.”
The aircraft was immediately grounded upon landing as part of the airline’s safety measures and pending a full-scale investigation. The airline said this action was in line with industry practices to ensure such incidents are properly examined and documented.
The statement also noted that no passenger or crew member was harmed, and everyone disembarked safely. “We are pleased to report that no injuries were recorded among passengers or crew members on board. All individuals are safe and have disembarked,” it read.
The NCAA has since stepped in, with the Directorate of Airworthiness mandating that 5N-BZY must not operate until a complete investigation is concluded. Speaking on the matter, Michael Achimugu, spokesperson for the NCAA, confirmed that engine one of the aircraft failed and that smoke was detected both in the cabin and the cockpit during the flight. This prompted the deployment of oxygen masks, a standard safety measure for such scenarios.
“The appropriate safety protocols were implemented upon landing, and the smoke dissipated. The pilot successfully landed the aircraft without incident,” Achimugu said.
He also gave further insight into the aftermath. According to him, a rescue aircraft meant to pick up stranded passengers from Sokoto was already loaded with passengers heading from Abuja to Katsina. Due to this overlap, the Sokoto-bound flight was canceled, causing additional disruption for some travellers.
Achimugu stressed the NCAA’s dedication to aviation safety, stating, “The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority prioritizes safety. The recorded history is clear; several more advanced nations have experienced more severe aviation incidents than Nigeria. However, here, flights will be canceled if there is even the slightest concern regarding safety.”
Rano Air has assured the public of its ongoing cooperation with the authorities. Their engineering team is currently working alongside NCAA officials to investigate the cause of the engine failure. The airline also apologized to passengers for the inconvenience caused and thanked its flight crew for their professionalism.
“We commend our flight crew for their professionalism and adherence to safety protocols, which ensured a positive outcome,” the management said.
Aviation analysts have said such incidents, though rare, highlight the importance of strict safety checks and emergency response training. The grounding of the aircraft is a common precautionary step that allows for in-depth technical assessments, especially when smoke is involved.
As of now, aircraft 5N-BZY remains at the Sokoto airport under the supervision of engineers and safety inspectors. The NCAA is expected to release its findings in due course, after a thorough investigation is completed.
This event comes at a time when air travel in Nigeria is under increased scrutiny, especially with more local carriers entering the space and demands growing for improved safety standards. With the rainy season ongoing, weather conditions are also a factor that airlines are being told to monitor closely.
Passengers who were scheduled to board 5N-BZY or connecting flights are advised to stay in touch with the airline for updates and rescheduling options.
