Femi Adesina, in his book “Working with Buhari: Reflections of a Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (2015-2023),”
Femi Adesina has revealed a heart-stopping incident in 2015 where President Muhammadu Buhari’s plane narrowly avoided a crash.
The incident was narrated in Adesina’s book “Working with Buhari: Reflections of a Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (2015-2023).”
According to the book, in November 2015, en route to the Island of Malta for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, the presidential jet encountered severe turbulence, causing panic among the passengers.
Adesina said the turbulence persisted for an extended period, creating a perilous situation.
He further stated that the turbulence intensified as the plane attempted to land in Malta, resulting in a frightening descent.
He added that the Boeing 737 business jet experienced erratic movements upon touchdown, swaying dangerously and almost tipping over.
Adesina wrote: “A presidential jet is not immune from bad weather and the accompanying turbulence (many hours of that we experienced). Neither is it spared from what aviators call wind shear (a sudden change in the direction of the wind). We had a frightful experience).
“In November 2015, we had travelled to Malta to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, and it was an uneventful flight till the flight crew announced that we should get ready for landing.
“Few seconds from touching the tarmac, the Boeing 737 business jet got buffeted from all sides and began to sway dangerously. On touching down, it pirouetted and gyrated like a drunken sailor; and was almost turning over.
“What kind of landing is this?”, Buhari is reported to have queried the frightened pilot, who immediately apologized to the then president.
“We have just experienced what is called wind shear, a sudden change in the direction of wind. Apologies Mr. President, and distinguished passengers,” the scared pilot replied Buhari on touching down safely.
