AIB Retracts Statement on Air Peace, Says Flight’s Tyre Didn’t Burst on Landing

AIB Retracts Statement on Air Peace, Says Flight’s Tyre Didn’t Burst on Landing

Chinedu Eze

The Accident Investigation Bureau Nigeria (AIB-N) has retracted its earlier statement on the incident involving Air Peace Boeing 737-300 with registration number 5N-BUQ, saying that the tyre of the aircraft did not burst on landing, as it earlier stated.

The incident occurred on Monday, March 8, 2021 at 10:31 pm, when the Abuja-Lagos flight landed at the Runway 18R of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, known as international runway.

While taxing over two kilometres to the domestic terminal (MMA1), known as General Aviation Terminal (GAT), the aircraft suffered a tyre puncture.

AIB in the latest statement signed by its General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi and titled, “Update on Air Peace Aircraft Incident at Lagos Airport”, stated: “We refer to the occurrence involving a Boeing 737-300 aircraft with nationality and registration marks 5N-BUQ, operated by Air Peace Limited, which occurred at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos on Monday, March 8, 2021.

“Initial findings made by the Accident Investigation Bureau, Nigeria (AIB-N) following a download of the aircraft’s Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) revealed that the aircraft experienced a burst tyre during taxing.”

AIB-N said, “as the occurrence falls under the category of incident, AIB-N has therefore ceded the investigation to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Further enquiries on this occurrence should be addressed to the NCAA forthwith.”

Spokesman of Air Peace, Mr. Stanley Oliseh had in an earlier statement explained that the aircraft safely landed at the international wing of the airport, adding that while taxing to the domestic wing, it had a tyre puncture caused by what was yet to be ascertained.

The statement also said the airline took exception to earlier reports implying that the aircraft had a tyre burst on landing, “as this is conveying a wrong impression about the airline to the flying public. If the tyre had burst on landing, the aircraft would not have moved two kilometres from the international wing to the domestic wing.”

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