El-rufai, 99 others escape death as Aero Contractor plane loses tyre

Tragedy was averted, Sunday, when a Boeing 737 plane with over 100 passengers belonging to Aero Contractors had a bust tyre at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, MMA, Lagos.

The aircraft, which departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, NAA, Abuja around 9am had a burst tyre on landing at the Lagos Airport.

One of the over 100 passengers onboard the plane was the former Minister, federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, Mal. Nasir el-Rufai who tweeted "Upon landing in Lagos, our Aero aircraft lost a tyre. The pilot did a great job of breaking to a halt. My phones flew under seats."

Reacting to the incident, Mr Yakubu Dati, Coordinating Spokesman, Aviation Parastatals said "A aircraft Boeing 737-500 with Registration No 5N-BLC, operated by Aero contractors landed safely at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, following loss of pressure in one of the tyres, today December 29, 2013".

"The aircraft which landed at 10.50am had a total of 104 passengers and crew members on board.

"The aircraft has since been towed to the apron and Accident Investigation Prevention Bureau, AIPB has commenced investigation into the incident."