The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has launched
investigation into a serious incident involving Air Peace Boeing 737-500
aircraft marked 5N-BUJ, which occurred today.
Spokesman for the agency, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi said in a statement that aircraft which departed the Murtala Muhammad Airport Terminal 2, Lagos at 7.35am (Nigerian time) for Owerri from Lagos with 90 passengers and 6 crew members on board, declared an engine failure.
The statement reads: “The Accident Investigation Bureau, Nigeria has been notified on the 5th November, 2019 of a serious incident involving a Boeing 737-500 aircraft operated by Air Peace, with registration marks, 5N-BUJ.
“The aircraft, which departed Murtala Muhammad Airport at 0735 local time, was en route Owerri from Lagos with 90 passengers and 6 crew members on board.
“From the information provided by the Air Traffic 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.
“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, Air Peace has apologised to its clients for the incident.
In a statement by its corporate communications executive, Mr. Stanley Olisa, the airline assured its customers and that it “continues to maintain high safety standard in its operations.”
“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 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 de-boarded from the aircraft.
“The pilot has reported the incident to appropriate authorities,” said Olisa.
