Despite the growing concerns about the safety of Air Peace aircraft in the country, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has declared the fleet of aircraft operated by Air Peace “airworthy”.
The General Manager, Public Relations, NCAA, reportedly revealed in a statement issued on Sunday, that the agency made the decision to declare Air Peace’s fleet “airworthy”, after it completed a thorough technical audit of the airline and its fleet of aircraft with a view to ensuring the airline is in compliance with extant Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs).
Further Details: NCAA revealed that although the audit was carried out due to the recent event that happened, it was not limited to the last incident only. The agency disclosed that the result of the audit shows that all the operational aircraft on the fleet of Air Peace Limited are “airworthy”.
“This technical audit was not limited to this recent incident. The airline operational, technical and safety performance in the last twelve months was also scrutinised.
“This is to assure the flying public that all the aircraft on the fleet of NCAA, authorised Air Operators Certificate (AOC) holders operating in Nigeria are airworthy.”
Recent Development: The audit conducted by NCAA came against the backdrop of the strings of incidents of faulty landing involving the airline.
- An earlier report published by Nairametrics revealed that an Air Peace B737 jet flying in from Port Harcourt was involved in a minor accident on the 23rd of July while trying to land at the local wing of the Muritala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.
- Eyewitnesses revealed that no life was lost in the accident, as all passengers and crew alighted from the aircraft unscathed. However, many passengers were understandably shaken by the event.
- The July 23 accident was just one of the many minor accidents, as Air Peace jets have recently been involved in.
- Back in June, an Air Peace jet skidded off the runway and ended up in the bush while trying to land at the Port Harcourt Airport. Again, no life was lost.
[READ: Worry, as another Air Peace jet gets involved in an accident]
Meanwhile, the investigation being carried out by the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has not been concluded yet. NCAA noted that AIB is currently conducting an in-depth investigation into the incident to determine the immediate and remote causes, in line with the International Standards stipulated in International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 13.
Recall that Air Peace was recently accused by the AIB of intentionally concealing information about some of the air mishaps involving its jets. Some incidents previously listed by IAB include:
- an incident on the runway 18R at the Lagos Airport in May; and
- there was another incident in December when a Boeing 737-300 belonging to the airline experienced some difficulties while en route the Akanu Ibiam International Airport from Lagos.
In the meantime, while the AIB investigation is ongoing, it is safe to say the Air Peace Aircraft are airworthy and this is expected to be a great relief to Nigerians who have expressed concerns in recent times.
[READ FURTHER: Investigation exposes how Air Peace allegedly shields its aircraft from probe]