Several Persons injured as US Bound Plane With 245 Passengers Declares Emergency, Returns To Lagos

A United Airlines flight, a Boeing 787-8 en route to Washington Dulles International Airport, declared an in-flight emergency on Thursday and made an emergency return to Lagos.

The flight, registered as N27903, was carrying 245 passengers, eight flight attendants, and three pilots. It departed Murtala Muhammed International Airport but turned back shortly after take-off due to an unspecified technical issue.

Sources confirmed to Punch that the flight crew activated the emergency transponder code 7700, signaling distress to the control tower throughout the return journey.

The over 13-year-old aircraft landed safely, but the turbulence caused food and personal belongings to be strewn across the cabin. Some passengers and crew members sustained minor injuries, although details remain unclear.

Videos and photos shared by passengers on board depict the chaotic aftermath of the turbulent flight, which they suspect was linked to an engine problem.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) is set to conduct an official investigation to ascertain the cause of the incident.

Micheal Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), confirmed the occurrence, stating, “Passengers have been accommodated in a hotel as stipulated by the NCAA Act.”

United Airlines also released a statement attributing the emergency to a technical issue, adding, “After landing safely, the aircraft was met by first responders to address reports of minor injuries among several passengers and crew.”