Date: January 22, 1973.
The Kano Air Disaster occurred on January 22, 1973, when a Boeing 707 operated by Nigeria Airways crashed at Kano International Airport, killing 176 people on board. The aircraft, chartered from Alia Royal Jordanian Airlines, was carrying Muslim pilgrims returning from Mecca when it attempted to land in poor visibility.
The plane was arriving from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, when it encountered heavy harmattan haze, a seasonal dust-laden wind that significantly reduces visibility in West Africa. While attempting to land, the aircraft overshot the runway, burst into flames, and was completely destroyed.
Of the 202 passengers and crew on board, 176 perished, making it one of Nigeria’s deadliest air disasters. The tragedy shocked the nation and led to increased scrutiny of aviation safety measures in the country.
Following the crash, authorities investigated the causes, with reports suggesting that weather conditions, pilot error, and possible mechanical issues played a role. The disaster remains one of the worst aviation accidents in Nigeria’s history.
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