An unusual and disruptive incident occurred at the Asaba International Airport recently, as an Air Peace aircraft was rendered temporarily inoperable after colliding with an antelope while taxiing on the runway. The impact of the collision resulted in the unfortunate death of the animal and left the aircraft categorized as "Aircraft on Ground" (AOG), a designation indicating that it requires immediate maintenance and cannot be used for scheduled flights. This unforeseen event led to a ripple effect of delays and disruptions for passengers expecting to travel on that particular aircraft.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the regulatory body overseeing aviation operations in Nigeria, officially confirmed the incident. Mr. Michael Achimugu, the Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection for the NCAA, addressed the situation via a post on X (formerly Twitter), acknowledging that such unpredictable events are inherent challenges that can lead to flight disruptions.
Achimugu explained that the NCAA's monitoring reports confirmed the collision, stating, "Monitoring reports yesterday indicated that an Air Peace aircraft ran into a large antelope, decimating the animal and leaving the aircraft on ground. As a result, flights meant to be operated by this aircraft would naturally be disrupted, even though engineers are on the ground to assess and fix the plane. Passengers waiting would naturally be infuriated."
The NCAA spokesperson further emphasized that while the incident itself was beyond the control of the airline, Air Peace still has a responsibility to its passengers. This includes providing timely information about the delays, offering options for refunds, and ensuring that passengers receive the necessary care and accommodation during the disruption. Achimugu firmly stated that the NCAA would not hesitate to impose sanctions on the airline if it failed to meet these obligations to its customers.
According to a source familiar with the situation within Air Peace, the collision occurred as the aircraft was landing. The source, speaking to Vanguard, indicated that the airline immediately adhered to established aviation procedures following the incident. This involved a thorough inspection of the aircraft to assess the damage and the subsequent commencement of repair work. The source attempted to downplay the severity of the situation, stating, "It happened upon landing. As an aviation procedure, the aircraft has been checked and fixed. It was not a big issue." However, the AOG designation and the resulting flight disruptions suggest that the impact was significant enough to require more than just a superficial check.
In the aftermath of the incident, the NCAA has sought to reassure passengers regarding safety measures at the Asaba International Airport. The regulatory body has also promised to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the runway intrusion that allowed the antelope to enter the active area of the airfield. This investigation aims to identify any vulnerabilities in the airport's security protocols and implement corrective measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining strict perimeter security at airports to minimize the risk of wildlife interference with aircraft operations, a factor that can potentially jeopardize passenger safety and disrupt flight schedules.