The Senate has cleared Air Peace of negligence and drug allegations linked to the July 13, 2024 runway overrun incident at the Port Harcourt International Airport, faulting the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) for what it described as “inconsistent and uncoordinated” findings.
The decision followed an investigative hearing by the Senate Committee on Aviation, which reviewed the NSIB’s preliminary report and found “serious contradictions” that could harm Nigeria’s reputation before international aviation regulators.
Speaking after the session, Committee Chairman, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, said the Senate’s review showed that the NSIB initially claimed several Air Peace crew members tested positive for alcohol and cannabis but later revised the report to implicate only two individuals.
“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.”
Buhari, who represents Oyo North Senatorial District, also confirmed that the aircraft involved in the incident sustained no damage and was towed before flying back to Lagos the same day. He praised Air Peace and other domestic carriers for maintaining strong internal safety systems, including random drug testing for pilots and crew.
“Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines are our own. We need to support them, not damage their reputation with unverified claims,” he said. “The most important thing is that no lives were lost, and the aircraft was not damaged.”
The senator disclosed that the Committee’s final report will recommend reforms to improve coordination and accuracy in aviation investigations, adding that the goal of the Senate inquiry was “not to witch-hunt any operator” but to strengthen public confidence in air safety.
He also revealed that the National Assembly may consider legislation mandating federal agencies and officials to patronize Nigerian airlines for official travel as part of broader efforts to promote indigenous carriers.
Appearing before the Committee, Air Peace Chairman and CEO, Allen Onyema, described the NSIB’s handling of the incident as misleading and damaging to the airline’s reputation.
“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 they have every right to be concerned about safety. I must, however, correct certain impressions created by the NSIB’s handling of this matter.”
He explained that the runway incident was caused by human error rather than mechanical failure, emphasizing that the aircraft was serviceable and returned to Lagos on the same day.
“The aircraft in question had no single damage. It flew back to Lagos the same day,” he said. “The pilot has flown for nearly 40 years—one of the most experienced in our fleet. He simply had a bad day.”
Onyema also cited instances demonstrating Air Peace’s rigorous safety culture. “I once grounded eight aircraft in a single day after discovering a maintenance planner made a mistake on one of our ERJ planes. We could have hidden it, but we reported it ourselves to the NCAA. That is how seriously we take safety.”
He cautioned that unfounded allegations and sensational reports could damage Nigeria’s aviation image globally. “What we say here is being monitored worldwide. We must be careful not to impugn the integrity of the NSIB or destroy public trust in Nigerian airlines,” he added.
The hearing later went into a closed-door session for a detailed review of confidential reports and safety data. Senator Buhari reaffirmed that the Senate’s intention was to ensure safety and transparency, not to undermine any airline.
“The Air Peace incident has shown the need for coordinated reporting and factual communication,” he said. “Once the final report is ready, it will be presented before the full Senate.”
The Senate Committee’s final report is expected to recommend clearer procedures for aviation investigations and improved collaboration among regulatory agencies to maintain confidence in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
