Grass Prevented Aircraft From Exploding After Benin Runway Excursion – Enugu Air CEO

The Chief Executive Officer of Enugu Air, Tolu Ita, has said the grassy area where the aircraft stopped after a runway excursion in Benin may have helped prevent a more serious tragedy.

Speaking during an interview on TVC News’ News at 10 on Saturday, Ita said several factors, including what she described as divine intervention, helped avert a possible disaster after the incident.

The Enugu Air boss said the situation could have been far worse considering the position of the aircraft after it left the runway.

“That question shook me because there might be critiques saying that why would a CEO be attributing things to God,” Ita said when asked what prevented the incident from becoming a bigger tragedy.

“First, I would like to recognise the hand of God in that because a lot, a lot of things could have happened.”

Ita explained that although she would not comment on technical details before the conclusion of investigations, reports available to the airline showed the aircraft was in a potentially dangerous position.

“Let me not talk on the technicalities of what happened,” she said.

She added that parts of the aircraft, including the wings, carried fuel, making the situation more critical.

“Imagine the wings. Based on reports, the two mainland collapsed and one of them even actually collapsed into the wing carrying fuel,” Ita said.

The airline chief executive noted that the aircraft’s final position on the grass also played a role in preventing a more devastating outcome.

She, however, expressed gratitude to Nigerians and the travelling public for their continued confidence in the airline despite the incident.

“I must say before I continue and finish that story, I just want to appreciate Nigerians. They have been phenomenal because surprisingly our load factor is even increasing, which means Nigerians and the travelling public are supporting us,” she said.