NCAA confirms US-bound plane developed technical fault, returned to Lagos

A United Airlines flight, a Boeing 787-8 outbound from Lagos to Washington Dulles, on Thursday, declared an emergency return to Lagos as crew and passengers onboard sustained injuries following a technical issue.

Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Micheal Achimugu, confirmed the development but noted that there were no fatal casualties.

According to him, the passengers from the aircraft have been lodged in a hotel as stipulated by the NCAA Act.

“It is true, and no problems, the passengers have been lodged in a hotel as stipulated by the NCAA Act,” he said.

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Also, United Airlines, in confirming the same incident, wrote, “Flight UA613 from Lagos to Washington D.C. returned to Lagos to address a technical issue.”.

“After landing safely, the aircraft was met by first responders to address reports of minor injuries to several passengers and crew,” the terse statement read.

The aircraft, initially bound for Washington Dulles International Airport with registered N27903, is an over 13-year-old widebody aircraft belonging to the US carrier United Airlines.

It had 245 passengers, eight flight attendants, and three pilots on board.