Air Peace Lagos-Accra flight P47750 was abruptly disrupted when a conveyor belt equipment violently collided with one of the aircraft’s engines, mere moments before takeoff, forcing over 150 passengers to evacuate the plane.
The aircraft, a brand-new Embraer E195-E2 with registration number 5N-BYH, suffered significant damage, rendering it inoperable and prompting an immediate grounding.
This incident has precipitated a cascade of delays, as the airline scrambles to secure a replacement aircraft during peak season, when airworthy planes are in high demand. The aircraft was scheduled to operate eight additional flights, all of which have been disrupted.
Sources reveal that the grounding of this aircraft will have far-reaching consequences for the airline, particularly during this critical period.
“The aircraft is incapacitated. This is one of our newest Embraer E195-E2s. A similar incident involving a bird strike previously cost us $3.5 million to replace the cowling. The financial implications of this incident are substantial, and the disruption to our schedule is considerable,” an insider disclosed.
An eyewitness account attributes the incident to gross negligence on the part of the equipment operator, who failed to adhere to standard protocols, neglecting to switch off the equipment and deploy the shock absorber, allowing it to roll forward and strike the aircraft.
The duty manager of the handling company, who attempted to intervene, suffered injuries in the process.
“The frequency of such incidents is alarming. It’s imperative that handling companies prioritize comprehensive training for their equipment operators to prevent such mishaps,” the source added.
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