How Human Rights Commission Boss, Odinkalu, 50 Others Cheated Death Following Power Outage At Ibom Airport As Arik Plane Was About To Land
Just as universalreporters reported yesterday that a Lagos-Bound Dana Aircraft on Thursday evening escaped being crashed following problem its right engine developed while on the runway which made it to return to base, another air mishap that could have been a major air tragedy for the nation was scarcely prevented in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, on Friday night, due to power outage to the Akwa Ibom airport when an Arik Aircraft Flight W3 533 was about to land with its landing gear fully on motion just as it was making it to touch down on the runway.
In the said flight was Professor Chidi Odinkalu the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, and other passengers, some who were Federal Legislators travelling to Akwa Ibom State for a retreat.
In a statement, Prof. Odinkalu narrated how the God saving encounter happened, according to the Human Rights Commission Boss, he said; “Earlier this (Friday) evening, I boarded Arik Flight W3 533 to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The flight was scheduled to depart Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 18.25 hrs. We left about 7pm. By 21.35 hrs, we were back in Abuja without landing in Uyo. Exciting ride it’s been.”
Speaking further Kalu said; “On approach into Uyo airport with landing hear fully engaged and less than 500 meters from the tarmac, the airport blacked out. As he re-engaged the engines to go up, the pilot informed us that the Tower has rod him there was a power outage at the airport.”
“So they needed a little time to switch to alternative source. So we were told. Meanwhile, Aircraft was in a holding pattern over Uyo. So we flew around & waited. After about 15 minutes, pilot explained that the man responsible for turning on the backup power unit was about “10-15 minutes from the airport & had been reached. So he was on his way back to switch it on. So we kept holding,” Kalu said.
Speaking further on how the encounter happened, he said; “Another 15 or so minutes later, we were told the man has arrived, that power would come on shortly and that we should expect to be down on the ground in Uyo in about 10 minutes. So we kept holding.”
However, their hope was dashed as he said; “Then about another 15 minutes later, instead of losing altitude, we began picking it up rapidly. Simultaneously, Uyo began receding rapidly from beneath us. Shortly thereafter, the Pilot told us the keys to the power source for the alternative power unit were nowhere to be found and the Tower had told him they could not power up for him to land. So we were to be returned to Abuja.”
Odinaklu said; “Gratefully, the evening was devoid of Uyo’s potentially destructive thunder & rainstorm. So it is that we are back in Abuja, safely, but the Arik Ground Manager has disappeared and his or her staff claims they don’t know what to do. 30 minutes later and very responsible looking men in their suits and expensive silk ties have been reduced on the tarmac to vigilantes using every available part of the anatomy to preclude the pilot from closing the doors and heading off on another trip. The Arik Manager remains disappeared and this place is going to degenerate.”
In his last word, he said; “I’m making my way out as I write. Arik will hear. Just in case you’re considering going on this flight, remember, there is no parking space upstairs.”
