A United Airlines flight from Lagos to Washington Dulles International Airport was forced to return to Lagos after declaring an emergency mid-flight. The Boeing 787-8 aircraft, identified as N27903, is a 13-year-old widebody jet owned by the American carrier United Airlines.
The flight, designated UA613, departed Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Thursday with 245 passengers, three pilots, and eight flight attendants on board. During the flight, the crew initiated an emergency code 7700, signaling distress to air traffic control. The aircraft safely returned to Lagos despite the tense situation.
Reports from passengers suggest that the incident created chaos inside the cabin. Videos and photos shared with journalists depicted food and luggage scattered across the aircraft, illustrating the turbulence experienced during the emergency. Some passengers and crew reportedly sustained minor injuries during the incident.
While the exact cause of the emergency is not yet confirmed, some passengers speculated that it could be related to engine trouble. However, aviation experts noted that only the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has the authority to investigate and determine the root cause of such incidents.
Responding to the situation, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, confirmed that passengers were provided accommodations in line with aviation regulations. “Yes, it is true, and no problems. The passengers have been lodged into a hotel as stipulated by the NCAA Act,” Achimugu said.
United Airlines also released a statement addressing the emergency. The airline explained that the flight returned to Lagos due to “a technical issue.” The statement read: “After landing safely, the aircraft was met by first responders to address reports of minor injuries to several passengers and crew.”
