United Airlines flight UA613, traveling from Lagos to Washington, experienced a mid-flight emergency and returned to Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on January 24, 2025.
The Boeing 787-8 aircraft was carrying 245 passengers, eight flight attendants, and three pilots at the time of the incident, which occurred over Ivory Coast airspace. Several passengers and crew members sustained minor injuries.
One passenger, who preferred to remain anonymous, recounted the ordeal to Vanguard: “We had already been served our meals when the plane lost pressure and dropped. We noticed a sharp descent. I hit my head on the ceiling because of the impact.
“I became unconscious, but one person from the medical team came to attend to me in the middle of the turmoil. The sharp descent happened three times, causing some people to sustain injuries. We spent four hours in the air.
“In the midst of the turmoil, the pilot said we were going to land in Ghana, but we eventually landed in Nigeria.”
Airline’s Statement
Linden Birns, a spokesperson for United Airlines, confirmed the incident, stating: “Flight UA613 from Lagos to Washington D.C. returned to Lagos to address a technical issue. After landing safely, the aircraft was met by first responders to address reports of minor injuries to several passengers and crew.”
The cause of the emergency is still under investigation. However, all passengers and crew safely disembarked upon the aircraft’s return to Lagos.
