Air Peace Aborts Flight over Burst Tyre on Take off

FG appoints new Directors for NCAA

By Chinedu Eze


Air Peace flight from Lagos to Abuja was aborted monday by the Pilot-in-Command when he noticed a burst tyre while about to take off.

Also, the federal government, which sacked five Directors at the weekend, has announced the appointment of new Directors and a General Manager for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
According to statement from the spokesman of Air Peace, Chris Iwarah, the flight aborted take-off at about 11a.m. and passengers were transferred to another aircraft.

“At about 11a.m. today, our Lagos-Abuja flight aborted takeoff at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos when the pilot-in-command suspected that there was an issue with one of the tyres of the aircraft.

“Passengers on board were transferred to another aircraft to ensure they did not miss their appointments. The passengers were all calm, as it was not a life-threatening incident. There was no question of air return as our very experienced flight crew noticed the development much before takeoff,” Iwarah said.

The airline said because of the “premium we place on safety, our pilots are under a duty to call for checks when they suspect any fault however basic it may be. That was what happened in this case.
“Although it was initially suspected to be a case of burst tyre, our engineering department later inspected the aircraft and confirmed that one of the tyres got deflated. The issue has since been addressed.”

The airline dismissed earlier report that the aircraft lost three tyres on take off and explained that it was one tyre that was deflated, adding that unless there is serious damage by external object, it would be difficult for the aircraft to lose three tyres at the same time.

Meanwhile, the federal government has appointed five new Directors and one General Manager for NCAA.
In a statement signed by the General Manager, Public Affairs, NCAA, Sam Adurogboye, those that were appointed and their designations include Group Captain Edem Oyo-Ita (Director of Air Transport Regulations, DATR), Ahmed Abbas Sanusi (Director, Human Resources and Administration, Department of Human Resources and Administration)

Others include Bilikisu Adamu Sani, (Director of Finance and Accounts, DFA), Odunowo Tayyib Adetunji (Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, DAAS), Ita Awak, (Director of Airworthiness Standards, DAWS) and Lawrence Mathew Kwajok, (General Manager, Air Navigational Standards).
Adurogboye said all appointments were with immediate effect.