The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched an investigation into an incident involving a Hawker 800XP aircraft that suffered a nose landing gear collapse at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport on Sunday, 14 December 2025.
The aircraft, with nationality and registration marks 5N-ISB, is operated by Flybird Aircraft Management Services Limited. It was operating a non-scheduled domestic passenger flight from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to Kano when the incident occurred.
According to details released by the NSIB, the aircraft departed Abuja at about 9:20 a.m. local time with eight persons on board, including two flight crew members in the cockpit, one cabin crew member and five passengers.
Trouble was first detected during the approach into Kano when the flight crew observed an abnormal indication related to the landing gear system. In response, the pilots requested to conduct several low-level passes over the runway to allow air traffic controllers to visually assess the status of the landing gear.
The Kano Airport control tower confirmed after each low pass that the aircraft’s three landing gears appeared to be fully extended and properly aligned. Based on these confirmations, the aircraft was cleared to land on Runway 06.
The aircraft touched down at approximately 10:34 a.m. local time. However, during the landing roll, the nose landing gear collapsed, bringing the aircraft to an unscheduled stop on the runway. Emergency procedures were promptly initiated, and all occupants safely evacuated the aircraft without sustaining any injuries.
Following the occurrence, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau activated its Go-Team to commence a detailed investigation.
The Bureau said its investigators would focus on examining the aircraft’s technical systems, operational and standard operating procedures, maintenance history, as well as the actions taken by the flight crew before and during the incident.
In its statement, the NSIB emphasised that the investigation is not aimed at assigning blame or determining liability. Instead, it is designed to identify any underlying safety issues and to recommend corrective measures that would enhance aviation safety and prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.
The Bureau assured the public, aviation stakeholders and passengers that updates would be provided as the investigation progresses and more information becomes available.
The NSIB, a multimodal transport safety agency, is responsible for conducting independent and objective investigations into transport accidents and incidents across Nigeria, with the goal of improving safety standards and strengthening public confidence in the nation’s transport systems.
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