On November 12, 2023, a Boeing 737-300 operated by Aero Contractors veered off the runway at Abuja Airport and got stuck with its nose wheel in the grass. All passengers and crew members remained uninjured. 

The 5N-BYQ was en route from Lagos to Abuja under flight number N2119. After landing, the 24,3-year-old medium-haul jet was not allowed to leave the runway for reasons that are still unclear. The nose wheel dug into the grass. The result: the passenger jet got stuck and had to be freed from its predicament. 

The Nigerian Air Accident Investigation Bureau said: “The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been notified and has commenced an investigation into a serious incident involving a Boeing 733 with nationality and registration number 5N-BYQ of Aero Contractors Airlines. While the aircraft was landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, from Lagos and attempting to exit the runway via the A4, the nose wheel got stuck on the grass verge while the fuselage was on the runway. As a result, the runway was closed until the aircraft could be towed from the runway.” 

Purely for precautionary reasons, the airport fire department and the rescue service, among others, were immediately ordered to the Boeing 737-300. Fortunately, the services were not needed as all passengers and crew members were able to exit the medium-haul jet uninjured. The authorities now want to determine how the nose wheel of the aircraft got stuck in the grass.