What happen to the Air Peace flight?
In what could have spiraled into another aviation tragedy, Nigeria’s leading carrier, Air Peace, found itself at the center of public scrutiny on Saturday, July 13, 2025, when Flight P47190, a Boeing 737 aircraft, skidded off the runway while attempting to land at Port Harcourt International Airport.
Fortunately, there were no fatalities or injuries, but the incident has reignited heated conversations about Nigeria’s airport infrastructure, airline safety standards, and the regulatory oversight that governs both.
All you need to know about the Air Peace flight incident
According to the airline, the flight departed from Lagos with 127 passengers and crew on board.
It approached the runway at approximately 3:32 p.m. under reportedly poor weather conditions marked by heavy rainfall and low visibility.
Shortly after touchdown, the aircraft lost traction and veered off the wet tarmac, halting in the grass verge adjacent to the runway.
Eyewitnesses say the aircraft swerved suddenly before coming to a stop.
Panic briefly rippled through the cabin, but the crew remained composed, managing a swift and orderly evacuation.
By all standards, the professionalism of the crew helped prevent a potentially chaotic situation.
Air Peace, in a prompt statement released just hours after the event, confirmed that all passengers and crew members were safe and accounted for.
The airline attributed the incident to adverse weather conditions and stressed that the aircraft experienced no mechanical failures prior to the landing.
"We are relieved to report that there were no injuries. The safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority," the statement read.
But while the airline’s quick communication helped dampen speculation, it didn’t stop the surge of questions and criticisms.
Why do such incidents continue to happen in Nigerian airports, particularly during the rainy season?
And are regulatory agencies doing enough to ensure aviation safety?
Saturday’s incident highlights what many experts have called a “willful neglect” of basic runway upgrades.
While FAAN(Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria) continues to claim that the runway is compliant with international standards, multiple incidents in recent years suggest otherwise.
This isn’t the first time an Air Peace aircraft has veered off a Nigerian runway. In 2019, a similar event occurred in Calabar.
In 2021, another Air Peace flight veered slightly off the runway in Ilorin.
While no lives were lost in those cases either, aviation stakeholders have warned that these incidents form a troubling pattern.
Air Peace has grown to become Nigeria’s largest private airline, boasting over 35 aircraft and a growing international network.
The brand is deeply trusted by millions, especially middle-class travelers and corporate passengers.
But even for a well-loved carrier, public perception is fragile.
In response to the incident, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority(NCAA) announced that it had launched a full investigation.
A joint team comprising aviation safety experts, engineers, and airport officials has already begun evaluating the aircraft and reviewing air traffic communication logs.
Black box data will be analyzed to establish a definitive timeline and cause.
NCAA’s immediate involvement is commendable, but the agency has historically fallen short on follow-through.
Nigerians have heard the “full investigation” line before.
What they need this time is results, visible, enforceable, and swift.
What This Means for Nigerian Aviation
Saturday’s runway incident is more than just a near-miss; it is a reminder that the cracks in Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem run deeper than many admit.
Post a Comment