- Safiu Kehinde
Scores of passengers have on Friday escaped death after an Air Peace flight from Abuja to Asaba suffered an engine failure while preparing for take-off.
The scary incident occured at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after the aircraft had gained speed and was almost closing in on the runway for take-off.
According to reports, a loud blast was heard, followed by flashes of light.
Fortunately, there was no fire outbreak as the pilot immediately aborted the take-off procedure and taxied the aircraft safely back to the terminal, where all passengers were safely disembarked.
Eyewitnesses said the situation caused panic among passengers, some of whom broke into prayers and songs of thanksgiving after the aircraft came to a halt.
All the passengers were safely evacuated in accordance with aviation safety procedures with no injury reported.
One of the passengers told Zagazola Makama that the pilot maintained composure and quickly announced that the flight would no longer proceed due to a technical issue.
“We had gained full speed on the runway when we suddenly heard a loud bang.
“The plane shook slightly, and there was a flash like lightning.
“The pilot calmly informed us that there had been an engine failure and that we would return to the terminal,” the passenger said.
However, the cause of the incident is currently unknown as no official statement has been issued by Air Peace to confirm the development.