Florence Uwaeme
An Air Peace Boeing 737-300, possibly 5N-BUK performing flight P4-7159 from Owerri to Lagos (Nigeria), was in the initial climb out of Owerri when an engine (CFM56) received a bird strike prompting the crew to return to Port Harcourt for a safe landing.
According to an official statement given by Air peace management, the aircraft sustained a bird strike into one of the engines. The aircraft had to make an emergency landing in Port Harcourt where all passengers disembarked peacefully.
“This is to inform the general public that Air Peace flight P47159 Owerri to Lagos on 22nd November, just few minutes into the flight had a bird strike.
“This seriously affected one of the parameters of the engine as the pilot-in-command had to divert to Port Harcourt and safely landed the aircraft while the passengers disembarked normally.
” We dispatched a rescue team and aircraft to airlift the passengers of the affected aircraft.
“Air Peace is committed to the highest standards of safety and will never compromise on this.”
A passenger reported the engine emitted multiple bangs in quick succession.