Air Peace aircraft carrying 96 people develops engine failure mid-air

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.

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.”