Nigeria: Air Tragedy Averted At MMA?

[Ray D'Avecta]

This "sensationalist" story was on allafrica.com, but it sounds just like a routine go-around to me....maybe problems with separation between departing and arriving traffic? Anybody know?

The full story is here - Naija Story (http://allafrica.com/stories/200707210056.html), but here is the gist of it:

"Tragedy was averted yesterday at about 10.55am when a Virgin Nigeria aircraft with registration number, VK 44 that was landing at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, from Abuja almost collided with another aircraft that was taking off a few meters from the runway.
Passengers in the in-coming flight, including the pilot agreed that the near-collision was too close. The passengers agreed that the tragedy was averted due to the dexterity of the pilot of the Lagos-bound flight who was quick to notice the aircraft that was taking off, and immediately gained altitude until it stabilised in the air, and landed after another 10 minutes."

[JJflyer]

Would not be the first time MMA controllers make a mockery out of a routine job. 3 aircraft in the system with arrival times within 15 minutes and what happens? LAG holding as usual is the answer.

Cleared to land while on a half mile final and at the same instant the controller clears an aircraft holding short into position and hold, now how many times has this happened to me in MMA last year 3 times.

Really dissapointed about the location of the temporary TWR as it is apparent that they cannot see the TH of 18R from that location and also that it is impossible to turn it upside down using jetblast :}

[18left]

routine go around,but journalists must sell,was not a near death situation in my opinion,wx was marginal too,ILS off the air,and the controller absent mindedly clearing an aircraft onto the runway without cross checking virgin's position who was on short finals

[madherb]

Go-arounds are not routine. (Add to this marginal wx, no ILS, "absent minded controller" - sounds far from routine as well, even for Africa)

[MamaPut]

Just another normal flight then - can't see whay it made the press unless it was a slow news day. It happens all the time here :uhoh:

[anjouan]

Go-arounds are not routine. (Add to this marginal wx, no ILS, "absent minded controller" - sounds far from routine as well, even for Africa)

That will be why I've already had to make 4 this year so far then :ugh:

[SpootNICK]

Go-Arounds in Lagos are routine.......

Useless controllers, broken approach radar, congestions and more useless controllers are the cause of most of them. :*

I wonder if these donkeys even realise how dangerous they are - I suspect not.

SN

[Flying Touareg]

SN that was really harsh. Calling humans like you donkeys is really uncouth, unacceptable and uncalled for.:=

I think the controllers have nothing to do with what is happening, but rather the System should be blamed. The System is rotten just like many sectors in the country.And a situation where the controllers lack the training and tools to carry out their jobs does not qualify them to be useless and donkeys.

[GlobalFlyer]

...and you wonder...how ON EARTH could anything positive have come out of ICAO recent audit of Nigeria's aviation infrastructure:confused: ??
Could any experienced professional answer my question please!?

[prospector]

Who constructs these systems that are rotten, is it not humans???


"SN that was really harsh. Calling humans like you donkeys is really uncouth, unacceptable and uncalled for.
I think the controllers have nothing to do with what is happening, but rather the System should be blamed. The System is rotten just like many sectors in the country.And a situation where the controllers lack the training and tools to carry out their jobs does not qualify them to be useless and donkeys."
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