NCAA To Probe Abuja-Calabar Flight Incident After Passenger Reports Bleeding

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is set to investigate an incident aboard an Abuja–Calabar flight after a passenger reportedly experienced bleeding amid concerns over heat and ventilation inside the aircraft.

NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, disclosed this in a post on X following a telephone conversation with the passenger, identified in a separate post as Bashir Usman.

Achimugu said the passenger had explained that heat triggered the condition, which he had experienced since childhood. He expressed relief that the passenger was now recovering.

However, he defended the cabin crew’s response, saying they were following safety procedures and had to assess a situation whose cause was not immediately known to them.

“You knew it was heat stroke. They did not know that. You may have needed immediate medical attention, and the difference between life and death might have been the little time that the others spent preventing airline personnel from doing their job,” Achimugu said.

He added that cabin crew members were expected to remain vigilant, particularly amid heightened public health concerns.

Achimugu said he was escalating the matter to the NCAA’s Directorate of Operations, Licensing and Training Standards (DOLTS) to establish why, according to the passenger’s account, the aircraft’s doors were shut without air conditioning or ventilation during the period of extreme heat.

He also said the authority would examine the passenger’s allegation that the crew offered no apology or explanation during the delay or after the aircraft arrived at its destination.

“If true, a determination would be made by that Directorate,” he said.

Achimugu urged passengers not to obstruct cabin crew members from carrying out their duties, stressing that their primary responsibility was to ensure the safety of everyone onboard.

In a separate post, Usman thanked fellow passengers who travelled with him on the Abuja–Calabar flight on 26 October for their kindness and support during the incident.

The NCAA has yet to announce the outcome of any investigation into the incident.