Management of Osubi Airstrip in Delta State has rejected claims that an Air Peace aircraft suffered a bird strike within its airspace, maintaining that preliminary findings suggest the bird may have been struck before the aircraft reached the airport.
The clarification follows a statement issued by Air Peace on June 5 through its Instagram platform, where the airline disclosed that one of its flights operating the Lagos–Osubi route encountered a bird strike while landing at Osubi Airport in Warri.
According to the airline, the aircraft underwent immediate safety and technical evaluations after touchdown. Preliminary inspections reportedly identified the need for further examination of the aircraft’s landing gear, prompting the cancellation of its scheduled return flight to Lagos.
Air Peace explained that affected passengers were provided with accommodation and other support arrangements while technical assessments were being carried out on the aircraft.
However, the management of Osubi Airstrip has challenged the airline’s account, insisting that available evidence does not support the claim that the incident occurred within the airport environment.
Speaking on the matter, the airport’s manager, Winston Egwuatu, noted that Osubi Airport had maintained an impressive safety record, having recorded nearly two years without a confirmed bird strike incident.
He described the achievement as a significant milestone in airport safety management and wildlife hazard control, adding that the airport remains committed to maintaining the highest operational standards.
Egwuatu stated that preliminary investigations conducted by airport authorities indicated that the bird strike likely occurred before the aircraft arrived at Osubi.
According to him, airport officials strongly believe the aircraft may have come into contact with the bird at its departure point or somewhere along its flight path rather than within the Osubi aerodrome.
Providing further details, he explained that the aircraft involved, Air Peace Flight 5N-CEF, an Embraer E-195 jet, reported evidence of a bird strike during routine post-landing inspections carried out by the flight crew.
The bird was reportedly discovered lodged within the aircraft’s landing gear during the inspection process after the plane had safely landed.
Egwuatu revealed that during discussions with airport officials, the pilot mentioned hearing an unusual sound approximately 200 metres from the airport while approaching for landing.
He noted, however, that records from the Incident/Bird Strike Information System (IBIS) reportedly placed the occurrence at about 50 feet above the runway threshold.
The airport manager also pointed out that the pilot did not immediately report any bird strike or unusual occurrence to Air Traffic Control during the approach or landing phase, a factor he said was relevant to the ongoing investigation.
To verify the claim, airport wildlife hazard management officers reportedly conducted extensive inspections before and after the aircraft’s arrival.
According to Egwuatu, the inspections did not uncover any bird carcass, feathers, blood traces, or any physical evidence indicating a bird strike had occurred within the airport’s operational area.
He further stated that no unusual bird activity was observed around the runway before or after the aircraft landed.
The airport manager explained that Osubi Airstrip employs several wildlife control measures, including propane cannons, chemical deterrents and pyrotechnic devices, all of which were reportedly functioning effectively on the day of the incident.
Based on available evidence, Egwuatu maintained that while the aircraft may indeed have struck a bird, there was no indication that the occurrence happened within Osubi Airport’s jurisdiction.
He suggested that the contact could have occurred during the aircraft’s approach or at another point in the journey rather than inside the aerodrome itself.
The airport authority also dismissed reports suggesting that Air Peace had suspended flight operations to Osubi Airport following the incident.
Egwuatu said airport management had not received any formal communication from the airline regarding a suspension of services and advised that such claims should be verified directly with Air Peace.
In a subsequent update, he disclosed that the aircraft involved later departed safely from the airport at approximately 2:50 p.m., indicating that necessary safety procedures and technical checks had been completed.
The disagreement between the airport authority and the airline highlights the importance of thorough investigations into aviation incidents, particularly bird strikes, which remain a significant safety concern for airports and airlines worldwide. While both parties agree that evidence of a bird strike was found on the aircraft, investigations continue into the exact location and circumstances under which the incident occurred.
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