Investigation Summary
The flight was a multi-stop scheduled service from Yola to Lagos via Jos and Kaduna. Upon arrival at Kaduna, Air Traffic Control cleared the flight for a locator approach to runway 05. The captain, however, requested to land on the reciprocal runway 23. Despite the controller advising that the wind (090 magnetic) would result in a tailwind for runway 23, the captain persisted. The approach became severely destabilized as the crew struggled to align with the centerline. During the final moments, the First Officer and a jump-seat observer questioned the feasibility of the landing and suggested a go-around to reposition for runway 05, but the captain did not respond. The aircraft crossed the threshold in a steep left turn and touched down with only 2,020 feet of runway remaining. In a desperate attempt to exit the runway via a rapid-exit taxiway while traveling at 76 knots, the aircraft entered a ground loop. The structural failure of the wing upon ground contact led to a fuel-fed inferno. The investigation highlighted a total breakdown of Crew Resource Management (CRM) and the captain's failure to execute a missed approach when the landing became untenable.
Final Conclusions
The Accident Investigation Prevention Bureau (AIPB) concluded that the primary cause was the continuation of a highly unstabilized approach when a missed approach was the necessary safety action. A major contributing factor was the captain's decision to attempt a turn into a high-speed intersection at 76 knots during the overrun, rather than maintaining a straight path into the overrun area.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
Nigeria Airways flight 357 @malcolmplaneandtrains — A brief overview of the Nigeria Airways Flight 357 accident in Kaduna, which resulted in 11 fatalities following a runway excursion.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Thrust Reversers
The captain deployed thrust reversers (1.8 and 1.6 EPR) after the late touchdown, but the remaining runway was insufficient for the aircraft to stop.
Fuel System
The fuel tanks were ruptured when the right wing struck the ground during the skid, leading to the post-crash fire.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft touched down with only 20.5% of the runway length remaining.
- 02The captain ignored suggestions from both the First Officer and a jump-seat observer to perform a go-around.
- 03The aircraft was a Boeing 737-200 manufactured in 1983.
- 04There were 138 people on board, including 6 additional crew/occupants accepted at the discretion of the captain and station manager, bringing the total crew count to 14.
- 05The accident occurred in daylight conditions with a tailwind of approximately 10 knots.
Safety Actions & Advisories
CRM Training Emphasis
The investigation emphasized the need for improved Crew Resource Management to ensure that junior crew members' concerns are addressed by the Pilot in Command.