The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded a Rano Air aircraft following an engine failure that caused smoke in the cabin and cockpit during a recent flight.
The incident involved Rano Air’s plane with registration 5N-BZY, which experienced a malfunction on its number 1 engine. Smoke was detected in both the cabin and flight deck, prompting the crew to activate emergency protocols and don oxygen masks. The pilot managed to land the plane safely with no injuries reported. Recall in January 2025, a similar incident occurred at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, where a Boeing 737 (5N-MBD) experienced a nose wheel collapse and rear tire burst during landing, where all 53 passengers and six crew members onboard were unharmed, cited by Daily Tech Nigeria on the 18th of March in a report.
Following the safe landing, the NCAA’s Directorate of Airworthiness ordered the aircraft to remain grounded pending a full investigation. Engineers are currently inspecting the plane to determine the cause of the engine failure and smoke.
The incident disrupted Rano Air’s operations, particularly affecting passengers scheduled to fly from Sokoto. A rescue plane intended to airlift stranded passengers was already committed to another route, leading to the cancellation of the Sokoto flight to avoid further delays and passenger inconvenience.
NCAA emphasized that safety is its top priority and that Nigerian aviation standards often exceed global benchmarks. The agency reassured the public that flights are cancelled at the slightest safety concern to protect passengers.
Passengers affected by cancellations are expected to receive support in line with consumer protection laws. NCAA will provide updates as investigations progress.
