NCAA under fire after plane strikes antelope on taxiway
CHIGOZIE AMADI
Aviation experts have tongue-lashed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority over an incident where a large antelope ran into an Air Peace aircraft on the runway in Asaba Airport, on Saturday.
According to the NCAA, the Air Peace aircraft decimated the animal, while the jet was eventually grounded.
The agency’s spokesperson, Michael Achimugu, stated that as a result of the incident, flights meant to be operated by the aircraft would naturally be disrupted, even though engineers were on the ground to assess and fix the plane.
“Passengers waiting would naturally be infuriated. Incidents like this are literal illustrations of the disruptions not caused by the airlines, “ Achimugu added.
He further said, “Even with situations like this, the airline still owes its passengers the information, refund, and other forms of care they are entitled to, and can still be sanctioned if they fail to provide the same.”
Pictures and videos of the incident sighted by our correspondent showed a decimated and lifeless antelope with blood stains all over the underside of the aircraft.
Experts said the incident was a clear shortcoming on the part of the regulatory agency, operators of the airport, and the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria.
In his view, Group Captain John Ojikutu, stated that Air Peace should hold FAAN responsible if the aircraft was damaged as a result of the incident.
“The airports have perimeter fencing, do they have security fencing? Are the airports secured? An audit of the airport was carried out last year. Did they really pass? Do they meet the ICAO standard?” Ojikutu questioned.
He also said he had warned airport operators to always insure the aerodromes but added that the officials at the helm of affairs had turned a deaf ear to his advice.
“This happened in Port Harcourt, and we have talked about this severally and I don’t know why the Civil Aviation Act 2022, deliberately avoided the insurance of the airports. Before now, all the airports were insured and are supposed to be insured. So if Air Peace incurred any damage, they should get compensation from FAAN.”
The expert also said the NCAA should have ensured the airport has the required fencing to bar people or animals from running onto the runway.
Meanwhile, The PUNCH gathered that the Asaba airport is being operated by the state government and not by FAAN.
Also, speaking to The PUNCH, a retired pilot with Nigeria Airways, Capt Muhammed Badamasi, emphasised the importance of perimeter fencing to guide against such occurrences in the future.
He said, “From my experience, perimeter fencing is a must in our airports. That is the duty of the NCAA to enforce. Be it controlled by the FAAN or not, all the staff members of that airport must work within the ambit of the NCAA set rules and regulations. We all must live up to expectations.”
