…AIB commences investigation

Chinelo Obogo

A
major disaster was averted after a serious incident involving a Boeing
737-500 aircraft operated by Air Peace, with registration marks, 5N-BUJ
developed engine failure shortly after takeoff.

The Accident
Investigation Bureau (AIB) has said it was investigating a serious
incident involving a Boeing 737-500 aircraft operated by Air Peace, with
registration marks, 5N-BUJ.

The General Manager, Public Affairs
of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) Tunji Oketunbi, said the
aircraft which departed Murtala Muhammad Airport at 07:35 am local time
was en route Owerri from Lagos with 90 passengers and six 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 an 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.

The bureau
appeals to the press and the public to respect the privacy of the people
involved and not to pre-empt the cause of the serious incident,”
Oketunbi said.

The Corporate Communications Executive for the
airline, Stanley Olisa, confirmed the incident, but said no life was
lost and no one sustained injuries.

He said: “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 a high-safety standard in its
operations.”

Source:- Sunnewsonline