Airpeace Aeroplane Had A Burst Tyre, Did Not Crash, Says Accident Investigation Bureau, As Airline Reacts

By Daniel Dafe

Contrary to reports making the rounds, the Accident Investigation Bureau has said that the aeroplane belonging to Airpeace did not crash, adding that it “had a burst tyre on landing roll.”

A statement on Saturday signed by Tunji Oketunbi, General Manager, Public Affairs, Accident Investigation Bureau, said that there were 66 passengers and 6 crew onboard when the incidence occurred.

Recall that a report by this medium credited to The Nation had said that a crash occurred.

The said incident involved Air Peace B737-500 with Registration Marks 5N-BQR and occurred yesterday in Ilorin at about 10:30am local time.

According to the statement, “AIB Safety investigators did an evaluation of the occurrence and decided NOT to investigate.”

Adding: “The Aeroplane has been released to the Operator (Air Peace). The delay in opening the Airport is due to the recovery of the Aeroplane from the Runway by FAAN and Airpeace.”

Furthermore, Oketunbi enjoined all media practitioners to verify every information before going to press.
Meanwhile, Air Peace has described the report as misleading, adding that the Ilorin bound aircraft from Abuja was not involved in a crash in Ilorin, around 10am on July 23, 2021 as reported.

ALSO READ: BREAKING: Passengers Escape Death As Air Peace Plane Crashes In Ilorin

Air Peace management in an unsigned statement, said that “the reports misrepresented and exaggerated the facts.”
“We can confirm that the aircraft in question landed safely but had a minimal tyre burst while taxing. This debunks all the mischievously headlined reports circulating online, which should be disregarded.

“Our aircraft neither crashed nor crash landed in illorin or in any place for that matter. This kind of sensationalism is bad and was intended to cause panic in the minds of the flying public.

“It was duly reported to the authorities and passengers disembarked seamlessly. The tyres have, however, been fixed and aircraft is intact. We condemn sensational publication of falsehood.

“Air Peace is committed to providing peaceful connectivity across cities and relentlessly observes the highest standards of safety in its operations,” the statement added.