…Airline confirms incident, restates commitment to safety
Posted by Sade Williams
The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) Nigeria said it has been notified of a serious incident involving a Boeing 737-500 aircraft operated by Air Peace, with registration marks, 5N-BUJ, hence commence investigation.
The aircraft, AIB said departed Murtala Muhammad Airport at 0735 local time, was enroute Owerri from Lagos with 90 passengers and 6 crew members on board.
“From the information provided by the Air Traffc Control (ATC), the flight crew declared engine failure at 07:47 local time and subsequently made an air return to Lagos.
“The aircraft landed safely at 08:06 local time. All the occupants disembarked with no injury”, a statement signed by Mr. Tunji Oketunbi, AIB spokesman, said.
It stated further that 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 “.
Meanwhile, the airline through its corporate communications executive, Stanley Olisa, while restating commitment to safety, noted in a statement that the pilot tool precautionary measure and returned to base.
“Today (Tuesday) 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 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 injuries 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 its customers and other Nigerians that it continues to maintain high safety standard in its operations “, he said.
