By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
Eleven people on board a private jet including eight passengers and three crew members have escaped unhurt after the aircraft crash-landed at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) on Sunday. Sources at the airport confirmed that the incident caused no injuries and all on board were safely evacuated.
The private jet, operated by Flybird, was arriving from Abuja when it reportedly encountered difficulties while attempting to land at the Kano airport. The situation prompted swift action by airport emergency and aviation personnel, ensuring the safety of everyone on board.
According to an airport source, the plane was evacuated promptly, and no passengers or crew sustained injuries. The source added that further details about the crash are limited, as only the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Aviation authorities in Lagos can officially release statements regarding the incident.
Another insider explained that private jets remain harder to track compared to commercial flights because of the large number of private aircraft operating in Nigeria. Unlike commercial airlines, their pilots and crew are often not familiar to airport staff, making details on the jet and its occupants less readily available.
Eyewitnesses at MAKIA reported seeing emergency crews respond quickly, guiding passengers and crew to safety while securing the aircraft. The airport continued operations with minimal disruption, authorities noted.
Aviation safety experts highlighted that although private jets can present challenges due to limited data on crew and aircraft, coordinated response procedures at Nigerian airports have improved considerably in recent years.
Officials at Flybird have yet to issue an official statement regarding the crash-landing. However, preliminary indications suggest that the aircraft suffered a landing-related issue rather than a mechanical failure mid-flight.
Passengers later expressed relief at surviving the ordeal, praising the airport staff and crew for their swift response and professional handling of the emergency.
The incident underscores the importance of stringent safety protocols and emergency preparedness at Nigerian airports, especially given the growing number of private flights operating nationwide.
FAAN is expected to release an official report detailing the circumstances surrounding the crash-landing in the coming days, including any recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future.