avherald.com wrote:
An Arik Air Boeing 737-700, registration 5N-MJJ performing flight W3-506 from Calabar to Abuja (Nigeria) with 95 passengers, was just in the process of boarding, when a car, actually a local taxi, broke through two security gates at the airport at high speed, drove across the apron and got stuck directly underneath the aircraft as if the little car wanted to carry the airplane to the runway. The impact however prompted the crew to deplane the passengers. No injuries occured, the driver of the taxi remained uninjured, too. The airplane received minor, the car substantial damage. No traces of explosives were found.
A replacement aircraft performed the flight with a delay of 3 hours. The incident airplane was jacked up during the day to remove the car underneath. The airplane was found to have received minor damages, notably a dent on its belly. The airplane was ferried to Lagos for repairs.
Security forces, who could not stop the car when it broke through the gates causing substantial damages to two gates, arrested the taxi driver who claimed his mission was to blow up the airplane and punish the sinners on board.
The airport reported, that at the time of impact no passengers were on board, while Arik Air said they had just completed boarding and were about to close the doors when the impact happened at 14:30L (13:30Z). A spokesman for the airport said on Apr 2nd, that the incident was regrettable.
Nigeria's President and federal government have initiated an investigation into the breach of airport security, Nigeria's National Security Advisor said on Apr 2nd. Security at all Nigerian Airports was heightened as result of the attack.
Police have confiscated the car, an Audi 80, for further investigations, but do not disclose any further details.