Passengers aboard an Air Peace flight from Abuja to Asaba on Friday narrowly avoided a tragedy after the aircraft suffered an apparent engine failure while preparing for take-off at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The incident happened moments after the aircraft had accelerated down the runway and was nearing lift-off when passengers heard a loud bang followed by a flash of light. Fortunately, there was no fire outbreak.
Displaying remarkable composure, the pilot immediately aborted the take-off and skillfully taxied the aircraft back to the terminal, where all passengers disembarked safely.
Eyewitnesses said the incident sparked panic inside the cabin, with several passengers reportedly breaking into prayers and songs of thanksgiving once the aircraft came to a stop.
One passenger, speaking to aviation correspondent Zagazola Makama, recounted the tense moment:
> “We had almost taken off when there was a sudden loud explosion. The plane vibrated briefly, and we saw a bright flash. The pilot quickly assured us that there was a technical problem and that we were returning to the terminal. He handled it very professionally.”
At the time of filing this report, Air Peace had not issued an official statement regarding the incident. However, airport sources confirmed that engineers were already inspecting the affected aircraft to determine the cause of the malfunction.
No injuries were recorded, and all passengers were safely evacuated in line with aviation safety protocols.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is expected to launch a full investigation into the incident to ensure compliance with safety standards and prevent future occurrences.
About The Author
