In a dramatic turn of events on Sunday 13 July 2025, Air Peace Flight P47190 from Lagos to Port Harcourt experienced a runway excursion upon landing at Port Harcourt International Airport, sending shockwaves through Nigeria’s aviation community.
According to the airline’s spokesperson, Osifo‑whiskey Efe, the Boeing 737 “veered slightly off the runway without any damage” and all 120 passengers disembarked “safely and calmly. No injuries were reported”.
This unnerving incident has raised urgent questions about operational safety and airport preparedness.
A Pattern of Peril on Nigerian Runways
This latest mishap follows a bizarre collision on 11 May 2025 when an Air Peace jet struck a large antelope at Asaba International Airport, grounding the aircraft and decimating the animal—although no injuries occurred.
The NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs, Michael Achimugu, stressed that such wildlife incursions, while unforeseeable, cannot absolve airlines of their duty of care to passengers.
With two high‑profile runway incidents in just two months, critics decry a worrying trend.
Global Runway Excursions: The Leading Threat
Runway excursions now top the list of landing accidents worldwide, accounting for 64 percent of all airliner accidents between 2019 and 2023, according to the Flight Safety Foundation’s 2024 Safety Report.
In Africa’s Flight Information Region, runway excursions were the most common accident type in 2024, underscoring regional vulnerabilities.
ICAO defines a runway excursion as “an inappropriate exit from the runway” due to factors such as late touchdowns or adverse weather.
Historical Perspective and Operational Critique
Port Harcourt has seen runway excursions before. On 22 June 2019, another Air Peace Boeing 737 carrying 93 passengers slid into soft mud after landing in heavy rain—yet again without casualties.
Despite assurances from airlines of “unflinching commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety,” analysts argue that pilots and ground crews require enhanced training and stricter adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in treacherous conditions.
Expert Voices Demand Answers
A veteran pilot, speaking on condition of anonymity, warns:
“Recurring excursions point to systemic lapses, not just isolated errors. Airports must invest in better runway surface drainage, friction testing and rapid‑response rescue teams.”
Meanwhile, aviation safety consultants demand that the NCAA undertake a transparent inquiry and impose tougher sanctions on operators failing to mitigate known risks.
A Call for Rigorous Oversight
As Air Peace reiterates its “dedication to operational safety,” regulators must act swiftly to restore public confidence.
With runway excursions increasingly prevalent—and local wildlife hazards compounding the threat—Nigeria’s airports cannot afford complacency.
Only rigorous oversight, improved infrastructure and unambiguous accountability will prevent the next near‑miss from becoming a catastrophe.
SEO Title (≤70 characters):
Air Peace Boeing 737 Skids Off Runway in Port Harcourt: Safety Under Fire
Meta Description (≤156 characters):
Air Peace Flight P47190 veers off Port Harcourt runway. No injuries, but rising runway excursions and wildlife collisions raise urgent safety questions.
Blog Tags:
aviation, Air Peace, runway excursion, Port Harcourt, airport safety, Nigeria, NCAA, investigative report, breaking news,
