Very few things in life are more horrific than the experience of having your life flash right before your eyes, and it is particularly true when set against the recent air mishaps that the nation has experienced, this is why Passengers on last week Friday’s Arik Air flight W3 533, from Abuja to Uyo, have called on the Federal Government to an investigate the circumstances that led to a near air mishap at Ibom International Airport on the said date.
According to them, this would help check a recurrence of such situation in future, as government was doing its beat to reposition the country’s air space in line with international standards.
Uduak Etuk, an Uyo based business man, while narrating their ordeal to journalists in Uyo, said it was horrible for them to see the plane, whose landing gear had come down to suddenly zoom off again, after it had reached between 50 to 100 metres from the tarmac.
According to him, “Unless investigation panel is set up to probe the immediate and remote cause of the incident, the situation may reoccur, which will definitely lead to national tragedy.
“I cannot really say whether it was Arik’s fault or Ibom Airport management’s fault.
“Normally, before any plane takes off, the control tower communicates so, so flight is coming to Uyo.
“Since that was the case, whether there was a strike in Uyo, whether they had problem with electrical system, that should have been communicated before we even took off.
“We desire investigation into the matter. I don’t see how Arik Air could have taken off from Abuja without getting clearance whether there was strike or not.
“So, it bits my imagination; 50 to 100 metres from the tarmac, that is a matter of life and death.
“The landing gear had come down; we were just about to land after long journey; but surprisingly, we saw the plane zoom up.
“It was after the traffic light had gone off, it was then we knew how dangerous it was.
“When we left Abuja few minutes passed 7.pm, we reached Ibom Airport around 8.pm; but hovered for 50 minutes in the air.
“That was when they were communicating, between the control tower and the pilot.
“We wish that the management of Arik Airlines could address the passenger that was involved.
“At least, they could have done the most humane thing, which is to tender an apology. There has not been apology given to any of us.
“We had a Senator, commissioners, businessmen and government officials, retired judge, as well as a minister on that flight.
“I want justice to be done. I want the Federal Government to hear and look into this matter and investigate what really happened”, he said’