An Air Peace flight was grounded at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after it struck a large antelope while taxiing on the runway, resulting in flight delays.
The animal was killed on impact, and the aircraft was declared AOG, “aircraft on ground”, meaning it could no longer continue operations until repairs were carried out.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, confirmed the incident on Sunday, May 11, through his official X account.
“Monitoring reports yesterday indicated that an Air Peace aircraft ran into a large antelope, decimating the animal and leaving the aircraft AOG (aircraft on ground),” Achimugu said.
He noted that the disruption caused by the event would affect the aircraft’s scheduled flights and understandably frustrate waiting passengers.
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“Incidents like this are literal illustrations of the disruptions NOT caused by the airlines (domestic or international),” he explained.
Still, Achimugu stressed that unexpected situations do not remove the airlines’ obligation to communicate with passengers and offer necessary support.
“This explainer is for illustration purposes, not to excuse airlines when they fail to do their duties to passengers,” he 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,” he added.
Efforts are currently ongoing to repair the aircraft and restore regular service.