NCAA says Air Peace raised false alarm on burglary on cargo of aircraft.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has declared as false alarm allegations of burglary attempt on the Cargo Hold of Air Peace  aircraft  at 18 Right runway of the Lagos Airport. 

 

Categorically, the NCAA described the incident as unfounded.

Spokesman of NCAA, Sam Adurogboye disclosed this on Sunday.

According to Adurogboye conclusion was arrived at after the Regulatory Authority reviewed all the reports from the relevant agencies concerning the incident , which proved to be untrue.

According to him, investigations by the regulatory authority, security agencies and other agencies at the Lagos Airport indicated that Air Peace raised a false alarm as the alleged burglary is largely unsubstantiated, unproven and should be discountenanced.

In statement , Adurogboye said : ” Last week, there were reports that the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) of Air Peace Flight no. APK 7138 with Aircraft no. 5N-BUJ had alerted the Lagos Control Tower that the Aircraft’s AFT Cargo Compartment has been opened.

“According to the Pilot in his report to the Tower, he noticed that the Cargo Compartment light came up for 15 seconds and went off. This means someone has opened the compartment’s door.

“The Air Traffic Controller on duty confirmed receiving the report at about 1933hrs (1833GMT).

In line with Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs), Aviation Security personnel were at the Holding Point of Runway 18R monitoring the departure/take off of both Air Peace and Arik Air aircraft.

“The PIC alarm triggered an immediate response. The Escort team overtook the Arik aircraft for a more proximate field look and access to the Air Peace Aircraft.

“On full speed, with the full lights on, no person(s) was found within the vicinity of the aircraft. Importantly, the Arik aircraft which was on queue immediately after the Air Peace aircraft was similarly put on observation at this point.

“The Arik Air aircraft also had its full complement of lights on towards the Air Peace aircraft having being aware of his counterpart’s conversation with the Tower. With benefit of this full view, neither movement nor any sign of person(s) was sighted around the aircraft.”

He further said :” Thereafter the Air Peace PIC requested to taxi back to the Apron at D45 to check if anything had been stolen. In addition, he wanted to clear his doubts that a bomb may have been thrown into the aircraft.

“At D45, the Airport Chief Security called the NPF-EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) team who reported with their equipment at about 2026hrs.

Passengers were disembarked at 2028hrs. The EOD team joined by FAAN’s Aviation Security and Air Peace Security conducted a search on the Cargo compartment and the passenger cabin of the aircraft.

“The search was completed at about 2055hrs and the aircraft was declared safe by the EOD Team leader.

The Air Peace PIC therefore briefed the passengers of the EOD’s all clear decision and that the service shall be operated. All passengers re-boarded and the aircraft was escorted to the holding area for take – off by the Escort teams from FAAN AVSEC and the Military Airside Patrol.

“The flight departed and landed safely at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.”

Meanwhile, passengers last week commended Air Peace flight and cabin crew for their security consciousness and professionalism after suspected thieves opened the cargo hold of Flight 7138 holding for departure on Runway 18R (A1) of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos at about 7.35pm on Thursday.

The passengers praised the pilot-in-command for insisting on thorough security screening of the Abuja-bound flight after the incident.

 

Corporate Communications Manager of Air Peace, Mr. Chris Iwarah said the carrier’s crew acted in line with the high safety standards of the airline.  

 

In a statement issued on Friday, Iwarah said: “We are sincerely grateful to all our wonderful guests on board Flight 7138 for their support, patience and cooperation throughout the precautionary security checks conducted by Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) squad, Federal Airport Authorities of Nigeria Aviation Security and our security team after suspected thieves opened the cargo hold of our aircraft holding for departure on Runway 18R (A1) of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos at about 7.35pm on Thursday, February 08, 2018.

 

“Pilot-in-Command, Capt. Adesola Arasi had to contact control tower when he was alerted by the light that came on in the cockpit suggesting that the cargo hold was opened for about 15 seconds and immediately shut.

 

“In line with our high security standards and the huge value we place on the lives of our guests and crew, Capt. Arasi insisted on having EOD squad check Flight APK 7138 before takeoff to be doubly sure nothing was deposited in the cargo hold by the suspected thieves to endanger the lives of our guests and crew.

 

“Our guests, who were fully briefed of the development by the pilot-in-command, were advised to disembark from the aircraft and board an Air Peace bus while the joint security operation by EOD, FAAN AVSEC and our security team lasted. The Lagos-Abuja flight was cleared by the security experts after exhaustive screening of the aircraft lasting about 30 minutes. 

 

“The flight eventually took off at 9.30pm and safely landed in Abuja at about 10.23pm. Our satisfied guests commended the professionalism of Capt. Arasi and his team as well as the high safety standards of Air Peace.”

 

The airline, he assured, would continue to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of its guests, crew and equipment.