Matilda Omonaiye/
On July 11, 1991, Nigerian Airways Flight 2120 departed from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, bound for Sokoto, Nigeria.
The Douglas DC-8, operated by NationAir Canada, carried 261 people—247 passengers and 14 crew members.
What unfolded during its final moments would make it one of the most horrific tragedies in aviation history.
Shortly after takeoff, an underinflated tyre overheated and burst. This seemingly minor issue ignited a fire in the landing gear.
Unaware of the danger, the pilots retracted the gear, allowing the fire to spread into the aircraft’s fuselage. Smoke and flames soon consumed the passenger cabin, creating unbearable conditions for those onboard.
As the fire melted the plane’s structure, horrifying scenes unfolded. Holes burned through the fuselage, and some passengers, still strapped to their seats, were ejected mid-flight.
The pilots, battling impossible odds, attempted to return to the airport for an emergency landing. Tragically, the aircraft crashed just short of the runway, killing everyone onboard.
The flight primarily carried Nigerian pilgrims returning from Hajj.
While no globally renowned individuals were aboard, the loss devastated families and communities, leaving a legacy of grief that lingers to this day.
What sets the Flight 2120 disaster apart is the unimaginable horror passengers endured before impact. The combination of smoke inhalation, fire, and structural failure created a nightmare scenario rarely seen in aviation.
Unlike many crashes where victims are unaware of impending doom, these passengers experienced prolonged agony as the aircraft deteriorated around them.
The crash remains the deadliest involving both a Canadian airline and a Douglas DC-8.
Investigations revealed that the tire’s underinflation had been overlooked.
The impact of Flight 2120 disaster extends beyond the aviation industry, touching the hearts of those who hear its story—a tragedy defined not just by its scale but by the suffering endured by its victims.
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