Air Peace
aircraft carrying about 90+ people made an emergency return to Lagos when the aircraft developed an engine failure just minutes after takeoff. The Air Peace aircraft, a Boeing B737-500, took off from Murtala Muhammad Airport, Lagos, in the morning for Owerri, Imo State, with passangers summing up to 90 and 6 crew members on board.
The aircraft left Lagos at 07:35 am when flight crew reportedly declared a prolem with the engine minutes later, at about 07:47 am local time, and made a return to Lagos. They landed safely at 08:06 am local time and all occupants disembarked without injury.
Confirming the incident, the airline explained that it had to abort its Lagos to Owerri flight when the pilot in command noticed an engine malfunction in one of the engines. It added that the aircraft returned to base in line with its safety procedures. Air Peace’s Corporate Communications Executive, Stanley Olisa, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, hours after the incident occurred.
The statement from Air Peace, signed by Stanley Olisa, reads:
Today at about 07:47 local time, our Lagos to Owerri flight, which was already airborne was aborted when the pilot in command noticed a change in the parameter of one of the engines.He reported the incident, took precautionary measure and returned to base in line with Air Peace safety operational procedures.
The aircraft safely landed in Lagos at about 08: 06 local time. There were no casualties as the passengers were safely deboarded from the aircraft.The pilot has reported the incident to appropriate authorities.
Air Peace apologises for the incident and assures customers and other Nigerians that it would continue to maintain high safety standards in its operations.
A statement by the General Manager, Public Affairs, Accident Investigation Bureau confirmed the incident, saying that investigation about the incident is in view. The statement reads: “The AIB team of safety investigators has commenced investigation”.
As the sole agency mandated to undertake the investigation of aircraft accidents and serious incidents, the bureau wants the public to know that it would be open to receiving any video clip, relevant evidence or information that may assist in this investigation.
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