On Monday, passengers on an Air Peace flight were thrown into panic mode when the windshield of the Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft shattered upon landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. Human rights advocate Omoyele Sowore was among the passengers.
A passenger, Funmi, described the incident as “scary” and expressed dissatisfaction with the airline’s lack of explanation. “It was a scary incident,” she said.
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Abdullahi Musa, was unreachable for comment.
Bimbo Olajide, spokesperson for the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), stated that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) was best positioned to respond to the incident. “The [incident] is classified as an incident and NSIB is expected to investigate accident and serious incident but the development falls in the category of an incident and not serious incident or accident. This falls within the purview of the NCAA.”
The NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, promised to investigate but didn’t follow up.
Oluwatoyin Olajide, Air Peace’s Chief Operating Officer, responded angrily to inquiries. “What panic for the flying public? Can you verify what you’ve just said? Why are you always very quick to publish negative news about your own?”
Olajide denied any safety compromise. “We did not have a shattered screen neither was passenger’s safety jeopardized. What happened is a normal snag and necessary safety measures were implemented. The safety of our equipment and passengers is our top priority.”
However, an airline insider confirmed the incident, stating, “the aircraft has been temporarily put in service so as not to take any chances. Although, the windshield only cracked and not shattered as claimed.”
The incident raises concerns about airline maintenance and transparency. Air Peace’s response has sparked debate, with some questioning the airline’s handling of the situation.
The NCAA’s investigation will determine the cause of the windshield damage and ensure necessary measures are taken to prevent similar incidents.
The incident highlights the importance of aviation safety and the need for prompt, transparent communication.
As investigations continue, passengers and aviation stakeholders await answers on the cause of the windshield damage and measures to ensure passenger safety.
Air Peace’s reputation hangs in the balance, pending the outcome of the NCAA’s investigation.
The incident serves as a reminder of the critical role aviation regulatory bodies play in ensuring safety standards.
The Nigerian aviation industry awaits the outcome of this investigation, seeking reassurance on safety and accountability.
