P’Harcourt runway incident: Senate clears Air Peace of negligence, faults NSIB’s report
vin modebelu
P’Harcourt runway incident: Senate clears Air Peace of negligence, faults NSIB’s report
From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The Senate has exonerated Nigeria’s flag carrier, Air Peace, of any wrongdoing in the July 13, 2024, runway incident at the Port Harcourt International Airport, faulting the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) for what it described as “inconsistent and poorly coordinated findings.”
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Abdulfatai Buhari, made the disclosure yesterday after an investigative hearing in Abuja. He said the committee’s review of the NSIB’s preliminary report revealed contradictions that, if left unaddressed, could harm Nigeria’s credibility with international aviation regulators.
Buhari, who represents Oyo North, expressed concern that the NSIB initially alleged drug use by several members of the Air Peace flight crew but later reduced the claim to only two individuals, a development he described as poorly coordinated and unprofessional.
“You can see that, unfortunately, most of those allegations are not true,” Buhari said. “The report was disjointed and not coordinated. You don’t accuse people wrongly, especially in aviation, where ICAO and other international laboratories are monitoring us closely.”
He commended Air Peace and other domestic carriers for maintaining internal safety and compliance systems, including routine drug testing of pilots and crew members, urging that local operators be supported rather than vilified.
“Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines are our own,” he added. “We need to support them, not destroy their reputation with unverified claims. The most important thing is that no lives were lost, and the aircraft was not damaged. It was towed and later flown safely to Lagos.”
Buhari disclosed that the Senate would propose measures to strengthen the accuracy and coordination of aviation investigations in Nigeria. He noted that the objective was to enhance safety and regulatory integrity, not to indict any operator.
He also hinted at a forthcoming bill that would mandate federal agencies and public officials to patronize Nigerian airlines for official travels, as part of efforts to build capacity and strengthen the domestic aviation sector. At the hearing, attended by officials from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other key stakeholders, Air Peace Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema, defended the airline’s safety record, describing the NSIB’s report and the ensuing media coverage as misleading and damaging.
“I initially did not want to honour this invitation,” Onyema said. “But on second thought, I came because the Senate members are our customers and have every right to be concerned about safety.
Related News
I must, however, correct certain impressions created by the NSIB’s handling of this matter.”
Onyema explained that the Port Harcourt incident was caused by human error and not a mechanical fault, stressing that the aircraft suffered no damage and returned to Lagos the same day.
“The pilot involved has flown for nearly 40 years, one of the most experienced in our fleet. He simply had a bad day. Unfortunately, the early report made it appear as if the aircraft was faulty or the pilots were intoxicated,” he said.
The Air Peace boss also revealed that the airline maintains strict internal safety protocols, including voluntarily grounding aircraft when issues are detected.
“I once grounded eight aircraft in a single day after discovering a maintenance planner’s error,” Onyema recalled. “We could have hidden it, but we reported it ourselves to the NCAA. That’s how seriously we take safety.”
He warned that unfounded allegations and sensational reporting could expose Nigerian airlines to unnecessary foreign scrutiny and erode public trust.
“What we say here is being monitored globally,” he cautioned. “We must be careful not to impugn the integrity of our regulators or destroy confidence in Nigerian airlines. Air Peace is one of the safest airlines in the world, not just in Nigeria.”
The session, which turned emotional at some points, was later moved into an executive session for a confidential review of safety data and documents.
Before adjourning, Buhari reassured Onyema and other stakeholders that the Senate’s intervention was aimed to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s aviation industry and restore public confidence.
“We are not here to destroy any business,” he said. “Our concern is the safety of Nigerian travellers and the reputation of our aviation industry. The Air Peace incident has shown the need for coordinated reporting and factual communication.”