An Air Peace flight with 98 passengers on board skidded off the runway at Port Harcourt International Airport on Sunday, July 13th 2025 triggering emergency response protocols.
The incident occurred as flight P47321 from Lagos attempted to land during heavy rainfall, with the Boeing 737-500 veering into the grassy area beside the tarmac.
Airport officials confirmed:
- No casualties reported among the 98 passengers and 6 crew members
- Emergency slides deployed for swift evacuation
- Runway closed temporarily as recovery operations began
Air Peace spokesperson Stanley Olisa attributed the incident to “slippery runway conditions exacerbated by torrential rainfall.” Aviation safety experts, however, are questioning whether the airport’s drainage systems were adequate for such weather conditions.
This marks the third runway excursion at Nigerian airports in 2025, raising concerns about:
- Runway maintenance standards across domestic airports
- Pilot training for adverse weather operations
- Response times for airport emergency services
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has launched an investigation, with preliminary findings expected within 30 days. Passengers praised the crew’s professionalism during the evacuation but expressed shock at the harrowing experience.
Port Harcourt’s runway has faced criticism before, with the Aviation Workers Union highlighting drainage issues in a 2024 safety report. The incident occurs as Nigeria’s aviation sector seeks to improve its safety record following recent near-misses.
Air Peace has temporarily grounded its 737-500 fleet for inspections as the airline cooperates with investigators.
The aircraft involved was delivered to the airline in 2018 and had valid maintenance certifications.
