By Mercy Gadia Adi
The Senate Committee on Aviation has absolved Air Peace Airlines of any wrongdoing in the July 13 runway overshoot incident at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Rivers State, describing it as a routine aviation occurrence that was professionally managed in line with international standards.
The decision followed an investigative hearing held on Thursday in Abuja, presided over by the Committee Chairman, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North). The session brought together key stakeholders, including representatives of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and Air Peace management, led by its Chairman, Mr. Allen Onyema.
Addressing journalists after a closed-door deliberation lasting over an hour, Senator Buhari disclosed that preliminary findings revealed no evidence of mechanical defect, pilot intoxication, or operational negligence, contrary to earlier speculations.
“The committee’s review indicates that the allegations circulating in the public domain were largely unfounded. The aircraft was confirmed to be serviceable, and the flight crew acted in accordance with standard operating procedures,” Buhari stated. “Most importantly, no lives were lost, and the aircraft was subsequently ferried safely to Lagos. Our focus should be on strengthening public confidence rather than undermining indigenous carriers.”
The lawmaker further emphasized that international aviation authorities were observing Nigeria’s approach to such occurrences and called for more structured communication between regulatory agencies and the media to ensure accurate reporting.
In his remarks, Air Peace Chairman, Mr. Allen Onyema, expressed appreciation to the Senate for its fair and evidence-based assessment, noting that the airline’s safety record remains among the best globally.
“Runway excursions occur worldwide; what defines professionalism is how they are handled,” Onyema said. “All our pilots underwent standard tests, none of which indicated intoxication. The aircraft was declared airworthy and returned to Lagos the same day. Air Peace remains steadfast in maintaining the highest safety standards.”
The Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, also affirmed that the authority’s emergency response team promptly intervened to secure the passengers and restore normal airport operations.