By Dipo Olowookere
Several passengers cheated death on Tuesday night when an aircraft belonging to Dana Air skidded off the runway of the Port Harcourt International Airport in Rivers State and crashed into a nearby bush.
The unfortunate incident occurred some days after an exit door of an airplane belonging to Dana Air pulled off while taxing in Abuja.
Dana Air, while reacting to yesterday’s incident, blamed it on bad weather influenced by torrential rain.
According to Dana Air’s Corporate Communications Manager, Mr Kingsley Ezenwa Okwudili, “On Tuesday , 20 February 2018, one our aircraft (9j0363) operating the Abuja- Ph flight skidded off the runway at the Port Harcourt International Airport, as a result of the bad weather situation and torrential rain at the time of landing.
“No casualty was recorded and all passengers and crew disembarked safely.
“We commend the pilot-in-command who was able to control the aircraft to a complete stop, before passengers and crew disembarked.
“We also wish to applaud the Captain for exhibiting the highest safety standards and handling the situation professionally.”
Also reacting, General Manager in charge of Corporate Affairs at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, said, “A Dana aircraft numbered 9J0363 flying from Abuja to Port Harcourt airport has overshot the Port Harcourt runway.
“The incident was suspected to have been caused by a heavy rain, which was accompanied by strong wind and storm in Port Harcourt.
“No casualty was recorded, as all passengers on board were safely evacuated.”
Aduragbemi Omiyale 
Modupe Gbadeyanka