14:I[76937,["9344","static/chunks/9081a741-c61dd986cfa0c828.js","6408","static/chunks/00cbbcb7-c04264a14f470d4a.js","8173","static/chunks/8173-fc6c345d757cc6f6.js","7970","static/chunks/7970-6e0129b3de8ddbd6.js","3539","static/chunks/3539-02bf90933f94c836.js","6937","static/chunks/6937-3bd12da95143b93b.js","8827","static/chunks/app/(dashboard)/account/news/%5Bid%5D/edit/page-ce509fe7e2acda80.js"],"UpdateNewsForm"] 15:T611,

Former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, and 103 others escaped death today when a Boeing 737 plane belonging to Aero Contractors had a bust tyre at the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.

The aircraft departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport (NAA) Abuja around 9am and had a burst tyre on landing at MMA.

El-Rufai, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), tweeted a series of messages: “Upon landing in Lagos, our Aero aircraft lost a tyre. The pilot did a great job of breaking to a halt. My phones flew under seats.”

“It was amusing hearing shouts of Allah Akbar and Jesus, Jesus while the dutiful captain was trying to slow the plane down to a safe location.”

“The Aero pilot was good, the cabin crew calm and professional in the midst of mild drama and little panic by a few passengers. We thank God.”

Reacting to the incident, Coordinating Spokesman, Aviation Parastatals, Yakubu Dati, said: “A aircraft Boeing 737-500 with Registration No 5N-BLC, operated by Aero contractors landed safely at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, following loss of pressure in one of the tyres, today December 29, 2013. The aircraft which landed at 10.50am had a total of 104 passengers and crew members on board.

“The aircraft has since been towed to the apron and Accident Investigation Prevention Bureau, AIPB has commenced investigation into the incident.”

•Photo shows el-Rufai.

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