Nigeria Airways Flight 2120 was a Boeing 747-130 en route from Lagos, Nigeria, to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on a flight carrying mainly Muslim pilgrims attending the Hajj pilgrimage. The aircraft encountered severe weather conditions, including heavy thunderstorms and low visibility, while approaching Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport. As the pilots attempted to land, the plane struggled to maintain altitude, leading to a series of miscommunications and ultimately an attempt to perform a go-around maneuver under challenging circumstances. Unfortunately, the aircraft was unable to recover and crashed near the airport just moments later.

Upon its impact, all 261 passengers and crew aboard were killed, marking one of the deadliest aviation disasters at the time. The crash highlighted significant issues within the airline industry regarding pilot training, communication protocols, and the maintenance of aircraft. Investigations following the tragedy revealed deficiencies in adherence to standard operating procedures by the flight crew, which contributed to the poor decision-making during adverse weather conditions. The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder retrieved from the wreckage provided crucial insights into the events leading up to the crash.

In the aftermath, there was an increased focus on improving safety measures within the aviation sector, especially concerning operations during adverse weather. Regulatory bodies began implementing stricter guidelines for flight operations and training programs for pilots to enhance situational awareness in challenging conditions. Airlines worldwide reviewed their operational protocols, particularly concerning landing approaches in severe weather, aiming to prevent such tragedies in the future.