JUST IN: Nigerian Airline Overshoots Runway, Sparks Passenger Panic

DDM News

Passengers aboard an Air Peace flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt experienced tense moments on Sunday morning after the aircraft veered slightly off the runway upon landing.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the incident involved Flight P47190, which departed Lagos and touched down at the Port Harcourt International Airport, only to experience what the airline described as a “runway excursion.”

In a statement released by the airline’s spokesperson, Osifo-Whiskey Efe, Air Peace confirmed that the aircraft “had a runway excursion after landing safely” and “veered slightly off the runway without any damage.”

The airline assured that all passengers disembarked safely and calmly, with no injuries reported.

Air Peace further emphasized its ongoing commitment to passenger safety, stating, “We reassure the flying public of our unflinching commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety in all our operations.”

The incident has drawn public attention to the recurring safety concerns in Nigeria’s aviation sector, though officials stress that runway excursions, while alarming, can occur due to a range of factors including weather, mechanical issues, or pilot error.

Aviation experts note that while such events can be unsettling, the ability of the flight crew to manage the situation without injury is a critical measure of effective training and airline safety protocols.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has acknowledged the incident through its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu.

Posting via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Achimugu noted that incidents like these, although sometimes beyond an airline’s immediate control, do not absolve the operator of responsibility toward affected passengers.

This marks the second unusual occurrence involving Air Peace in the last two months.

On May 11, one of the airline’s aircraft collided with a large antelope while taxiing at Asaba International Airport in Delta State, leading to the grounding of the plane and disruption of scheduled flights.

The incident underscored the importance of stricter wildlife management around airport premises to prevent similar situations.

As investigations into the Port Harcourt runway incident continue, the airline industry and regulatory agencies are expected to work collaboratively to ensure stricter safeguards and prevent operational hazards.

The Nigerian public, meanwhile, has been advised to remain calm and trust in the systems designed to ensure safe air travel across the country.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook