In a heart-stopping incident at Port Harcourt International Airport, a CRJ 900 Bombardier aircraft owned by ValueJet Airline veered off the runway, creating a tense situation for passengers and airport staff alike.
Details surrounding the incident remain elusive, but reports indicate that the harrowing event unfolded around 3:30 pm on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
The aircraft, identified with registration 5N-BXR, had successfully landed and was in the process of executing its second turn when the unexpected occurred.
ValueJet Airline, quick to address concerns, released a statement shedding light on the incident.
According to the airline, the aircraft came to an abrupt halt on the runway after encountering a slippery taxiway coated with algae.
The airline assured the public that all passengers were unharmed and disembarked without incident.
Captain Stanley Balami, at the helm during the incident, reported the aircraft’s unexpected slip, emphasising that it was caused by the presence of algae on the taxiway.
Despite the unnerving turn of events, the airline stressed that ValueJet remains a paragon of safety, affirming that all operations are proceeding without a hitch.
“The CRJ 900 Bombardier aircraft with registration 5N-BXR landed safely with passengers wondering what could have happened because the airplane landed safely without difficulty.
“The minor incident happened at about 3.30pm at the Port-Harcourt International Airport,” the Airline stated.
“Captain Stanley Balami reported that the aircraft encountered a slip due to algae on the taxi-way which made it unable to maintain the centre line. ValueJet remains a safe airline and all the airline’s operations are normal without glitch,” the Airline stated.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the myriad challenges faced by aviation, even during routine operations.
The Port Harcourt International Airport is now working diligently to assess and rectify the conditions that led to the slippery taxiway, ensuring that such occurrences are prevented in the future.
Passengers, initially perplexed by the turn of events, are now expressing gratitude for the skillful landing by the flight crew.
As investigations unfold to delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding the incident, the aviation community remains vigilant, underscoring the paramount importance of safety protocols in every facet of air travel.
