Accident Investigation Bureau, Nigeria (AIB-N) was notified of the serious incident by Turkish Airlines Inc. on 29th July, 2020. Investigators were dispatched same day. All relevant stakeholders were notified.
On 29th July, 2020 at 17:14 h, an Airbus 330-243 aircraft with nationality and registration marks OD-MEA, operated by Middle East Airlines – Air Liban with call sign MEA572 contacted Control Tower for a departure clearance from the international wing of Murtala Muhammed Airport (DNMM), Lagos to Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (OLBA), Lebanon on an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan. There were 245 persons on board including 16 flight crew members.
MEA572 requested push back and start-up which was approved. MEA572 later requested taxi and was instructed to taxi to holding point runway 18R.