The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has commenced investigation into the cabin smoke incident which happened on Tuesday, 18 April aboard Aero Contractors flight NG316.

Confirming the development on Wednesday, the General Manager, Public Relations of NCAA, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, said that the aircraft involved had been grounded for investigations.

Flight NG316 had departed Port Harcourt at 4:08 pm local time en route Lagos but 20 minutes into the flight, smoke began to fill the cabin leading to choking of passengers and cabin crew.

There were 53 passengers on board the Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft including 52 adults and a 7-month old child.

In a statement issued earlier on Wednesday signed by Simon Tumba on behalf of Aero Contractors, the airline said it had ordered full scale investigation into the incident.

According to him, at 1645 GMT about 75NM to Lagos at 24,00ft, the cabin crew observed that the cabin was misty and reported to the Captain who briefed the passengers, assuring them of a safe landing in Lagos.

Ready and armed with “Aft Cargo Smoke” indication in the flight deck, the crew carried out the smoke dispersal procedures and contacted air traffic control at 1655 GMT, requesting for emergency landing.

The aircraft landed at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos at 1703 GMT without any incident.

Aero contractors which used to be the preferred airline for Nigerians, has been suffering from dwindling fortunes. It was taken over by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) about five years.