Air Peace plane skids in Port Harcourt amid rising safety concerns

An Air Peace aircraft operating Flight P47190 from Lagos to Port Harcourt on Sunday, July 13, 2025, experienced a minor runway excursion after landing at the Port Harcourt International Airport, the airline confirmed in an official statement.

The incident, described as minor with no casualties, occurred during the aircraft’s landing phase, prompting swift emergency response protocols. According to Osifo-Whiskey Efe, spokesperson for Air Peace, all passengers disembarked safely, and no injuries or damage were recorded.

“The aircraft veered slightly off the runway without any damage. All passengers disembarked safely and calmly, and no injuries were reported,” the airline’s statement read.

The airline also stated that the flight crew acted professionally and in accordance with safety procedures, ensuring a calm and coordinated response during the incident. The exact cause of the excursion remains unclear, but relevant aviation authorities are expected to commence an investigation in line with standard safety protocols.

Sunday’s event adds to a string of recent aviation incidents in Nigeria, fueling public and regulatory concern over air safety and emergency preparedness.

In June 2025, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) grounded a Rano Air aircraft after an engine failure mid-flight triggered a fire scare. Though the plane landed safely, the incident underscored the need for strict maintenance and monitoring practices.

Earlier in January 2025, a Max Air Boeing 737 (5N-MBD) suffered a nose wheel collapse and tyre burst upon landing at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport. Fortunately, all onboard were unharmed.

In July 2024, another Max Air flight (NGL1649) experienced multiple tyre bursts during takeoff at Yola Airport. The aircraft, with 119 passengers and 6 crew, was immobilized after the failed takeoff attempt.

Additionally, on April 23, 2024, a Dana Air MD82 (5N-BKI) veered off the runway while landing at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos. The aircraft, carrying 83 passengers and 6 crew, also recorded no injuries.

Aviation analysts are calling for heightened oversight by regulators, especially as Nigeria’s aviation industry continues to expand.

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Captain Dayo Oladimeji, a retired commercial pilot and aviation consultant, described the frequency of minor incidents as a red flag.

“While it’s commendable that passengers walk away unhurt, near-misses like runway excursions or tyre bursts should not become routine. These are symptoms of systemic oversight gaps—either in pilot training, runway maintenance, or aircraft servicing,” he said.

Aviation safety advocate Chinyere Obasi called for real-time audits and transparent investigations by the NCAA.

“Each incident must be treated with the urgency it deserves, not just to protect lives but to maintain public confidence in domestic air travel,” she noted.

As of press time, the NCAA had not issued a formal statement regarding the Air Peace incident. However, aviation sources indicate that a routine safety audit and post-incident evaluation will be conducted to determine contributing factors and ensure compliance with global safety standards.

While the Port Harcourt runway incident concluded without tragedy, stakeholders agree it should serve as another wake-up call for Nigerian aviation authorities to prioritize preventive safety measures, aircraft maintenance, and emergency readiness across all airports and airlines.