The Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Capt. Hamisu Yadudu has stated that the aborted landing of Ethiopian Airlines aircraft Boeing 777-300 aircraft was a normal safety procedure in the global aviation industry.

Yadudu stated this in an interview with Aviation Correspondents  at the agency’s headquarters at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, yesterday.

Yadudu, who is also a pilot, said that the clarification became necessary following misconception and misrepresentation in some quarters that the go –around done by the Ethiopian Airlines pilot was not normal

He stated that the decision of the pilot to abort the first landing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos was industry standard and not new in aviation, wondering why there were misrepresentations of the pilot’s action in some quarters especially the social media

Pilots, the FAAN boss said are encouraged to do a go-around if the situation called for it, adding that as long as the aircraft had enough fuel in its belly, it doesn’t affect safety.

He stated during training pilots were tutored on go-around, adding that it was not an abnormal situation.

He expressed surprise at the controversies the news generated in the media especially in social media.

According to him, “A go-around is a normal procedure, not an abnormal situation. Even, abnormal situations are even catered for by the aircraft manufacturers and even the system. In all procedures, you have redundancy, which is also known as alternatives.”

He continued, “I remember I did a go-around twice in one of our airports. As long as you have enough fuel in your aircraft, you can do a go-around. It is also part of the training we go through. In the cause of your training, you can do a go-around about five or seven times in a flight. Flying is a serious business. We have a duty to report accurately about the industry. Whatever is reported here, goes viral. So, everyone has the duty to report accurately and objectively about the industry.”

Recalled that a report had said on Wednesday that former President Obasanjo and 392 other passengers onboard Ethiopian Airlines aircraft were involved in an incident at the Lagos Airport when the pilot attempted to land on the wet runway, but had to do a “touch and go” in order to avoid overshooting the runway.

Those reportedly on board the airplane include :Ambassador Ayoola Olukanni, Director-General of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Prof. Samson Tunde Adebayo, the Director of Ports Inspection, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as well as scores of ohter Nigerians and other nationals.