An Air Peace flight bound for Lagos was on Thursday morning abruptly grounded due to a bird strike at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The flight, scheduled to depart at 6:30 a.m., was taxied on the runway and ready for takeoff when the unexpected incident occurred.
Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, who was on board, took to his social media handle to recount the experience.
He said, “While taxing on the runway and just before takeoff, our Air Peace flight from Abuja to Lagos scheduled for 6:30 AM today was stopped forcefully, resulting in panic and screams by some passengers.
“The captain attributed the incident to a bird strike. We have been deboarded to await either a replacement or repair of the aircraft.
“Thankfully, whatever happened did not occur after takeoff. It would have been scarier.”
However, in a swift response, Air Peace replaced the faulty aircraft, and passengers were reboarded within 30 minutes.
The lawyer raised concern about the implementation of effective bird control measures at the airport.
Aside Effiong, other passengers narrated their ordeal on social media.
Lagos-Bound Flight Grounded After Bird Strike pic.twitter.com/ZKUcWkgexO
— Mc Ebisco (@mcebiscoocom) November 14, 2024