Lagos — Another calamity was averted on Sunday when a Capital Airline aircraft bound for Abuja narrowly escaped crash at the Akanu Ibiam Airport in Enugu.

A total 26 passengers and four crew members were on board.

Among the passengers were Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Executive Director, Onochie Anyaoku, younger brother of former Commonwealth Secretary General, Emeka Anyaoku; and Junior Okwuosa, an associate of Andy Uba, aide to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The Embreyor 120 plane, a 30-seater, was fully boarded by 2 p.m. and its door shut, preparatory to take off; but thick smoke covered it when the two engines were started.

The smoke billowed from one engine, from where it spread to other parts of the aircraft, including the cabin, causing panic among passengers and crew.

Some passengers broke the emergency exit door and jumped out as airport fire service officials rallied round to put out the fire, which they did within minutes.

At least eight passengers received injuries and were taken to hospital.

Capital Airlines staff in Enugu said the passengers were refunded their fares.

The Managing Director, Amos Akpan, directed the aircraft to remain on the ground until checks are done.

,,While we are sorry for the inconvenience it may have caused the passengers, we had to take the precautionary measure to cancel flight for safety reasons,,, he said in a statement.

Capital Airline was established in 2003 to carry out domestic and charter flights with Lagos as its base.

It has a fleet of three aircraft comprising Embreyor 120, and operates to Lagos, Abuja, Ilorin, and Minna.

The government set a deadline of April 30, 2007 for all airlines to re-capitalise or be grounded, in an effort to ensure better services and safety.

Capital Airline was one of the operators which beat the deadline, and was re-registered for operation.