By Adesina Soyooye
Passengers on an Airpeace Airline Flight P47154, literally had their hearts in their hands when the aircraft experienced an engine trouble, and quickly made an emergency return to base.
The incident happened on Wednesday when the aircraft department the domestic wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos for the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri.
A passenger on the flight who does not want his name mentioned, said there was panic, and passengers were shaken and prayed no end until the aircraft returned safely to Lagos.
The Management of the Airline, in a statement, explained that the aircraft was already airborne when “the crew experienced a bleed in air challenge which prompted the flight to return to Lagos.”
The statement, also, said that the aircraft retuned safely to Lagos, and passengers disembarked without any threat to their safety.
It apologised to the passengers who were panic-stricken and said: “We understand the passengers panic that results from situations from situations like this and we regret the inconveniences that followed.
“However, it is very important to state that air return is not an unsafe practice. It is, in fact, a recommended safety precautionary measure if the Pilots are not satisfied with any fault or event experience on a flight.”
Another passenger commended the crew for their professionalism all through the incident.
Airpeace is a wholly indigenous-owned Nigerian Airline.
