AIB begins investigation of wing-tip brush by two Arik aircraft

The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) said it had begun investigation of Tuesday’s wing-tip brush by two Boeing 737-800NG belonging to Arik Air at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.
AIB’s spokesperson, Mr Tunji Oketunbi, disclosed this on Wednesday in Lagos.
“Immediately the incident occurred, we deployed our investigators to the scene but I don’t have the outcome of their investigation yet,” Oketunbi said.
Mr Sam Adurogboye, the Acting General Manager, Public Relations, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, also confirmed that Arik Air had filed the Mandatory Occurrence Report (MOR) with the NCAA.
Adurogboye noted that the wing-tip brush by the aircraft was a minor incident, adding that the NCAA would however carry out investigations to unravel its cause and prevent future occurrence.
He said:”Once you have operations, there are bound to be incidents. It is not a serious issue. One aircraft parked, the other was trying to go out and their wings touched.
“Naturally, they are expected to stop the operation, check the planes before returning it to service. But we will do what we are expected to do by going there to inspect and re-certify the aircraft.”
Arik Air had confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday by its Communications Manager, Mr Ola Adebanji.
“Two of our aircraft, Boeing 737-800NG were this afternoon involved in a wing-tip brush at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
“One of the aircraft, 5N-MJP was marshalled out of the ramp for a scheduled flight when its wing brushed that of another aircraft, 5N-MJQ parked on the ramp.
“There were no incidences as the safety of passengers was not jeopardised. We have grounded the two aircraft and are looking into the incident,” the statement had said.