An Air Peace aircraft carrying 96 people was forced to make
an emergency return to Lagos when the aircraft developed an engine failure
minutes after takeoff.
The Air Peace aircraft, a Boeing B737-500, departed Murtala
Muhammad Airport, Lagos, in the morning for Owerri, Imo State, with 90
passengers and six crew members on board.
The aircraft left Lagos at 07:35 am local time but flight
crew reportedly declared an engine failure minutes later, at about 07:47 am
local time, and subsequently made a return to Lagos. They landed safely at
08:06 am local time and all occupants disembarked without injury.
Air Peace aircraft carrying 96 people develops engine
failure mid-air
Confirming the incident, the airline explained that it had
to abort its Lagos to Owerri flight when the pilot in command noticed a change
in the parameter of one of the engines mid-flight. 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 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
standards in its operations.
A statement by the General Manager, Public Affairs, Accident
Investigation Bureau confirmed the incident, saying that its investigators had
commenced an investigation into the incident.
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."
