The Senate Committee on Aviation has cleared Air Peace Airlines of responsibility in the July 13 runway overshoot at Port Harcourt International Airport, Rivers State, ruling that the event was a minor aviation incident handled in accordance with global safety standards.
At an investigative session held Thursday in Abuja, the committee—chaired by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North)—met with key stakeholders in the aviation sector, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and Air Peace management.
Briefing journalists after a closed-door session that lasted over an hour, Senator Buhari said preliminary reports showed no evidence of technical malfunction, pilot error, or negligence.
“The allegations making the rounds were not supported by facts,” Buhari said. “The aircraft was sound, the crew acted professionally, and no lives were at risk. What matters is that safety was maintained and the aircraft was later flown back to Lagos without issues.”
He added that Nigeria’s handling of aviation incidents is closely watched by international regulators and urged coordinated communication among agencies to prevent misinformation.
Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema, thanked the Senate for what he described as a fair and objective assessment, while warning against sensational headlines that could harm public confidence.
“Runway excursions occur everywhere in the world; what defines safety is the response,” Onyema said. “All our pilots were tested—none was intoxicated. The plane was airworthy and flew back to base the same day. Air Peace continues to uphold the highest safety standards.”
FAAN Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, also confirmed that emergency teams responded immediately and ensured all passengers were safe.
