Osubi Airport refutes bird strike allegation, cites two-year safety record

Osubi Airport in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State has denied reports that a bird strike involving an Air Peace aircraft occurred within its aerodrome, insisting preliminary investigations indicated the bird was likely struck before the aircraft arrived at the airport.

The denial followed a statement issued by Air Peace on its Instagram page on June 5, which said its Lagos–Osubi flight experienced a bird strike upon landing at Osubi Airport, Warri.

According to the airline, the aircraft was subjected to safety and technical assessments after landing, with preliminary inspections revealing the need for further checks on the landing gear.

“As a result, the scheduled return service from Osubi to Lagos has been cancelled,” the airline stated, adding that affected passengers were being provided accommodation and support.

However, the Manager of Osubi Airstrip, Winston Egwuatu, strongly disputed the claim, noting that the airport had recently achieved a major safety milestone.

“In any case, and for your information, Osubi Airport just recently celebrated almost two years of zero bird strikes in the airport. It is a major milestone in airport operations nationwide,” Egwuatu said.

“On this alleged report, I like to strongly refute and to say that preliminary investigation by the airport has revealed the said strike did not happen at Osubi Airport. We believe that the operating aircraft picked the bird from the departing airport.”

Providing details of the investigation, Egwuatu said Air Peace Flight 5N-CEF, an Embraer E-195 aircraft, reported observing evidence of a bird strike during post-landing inspection.

“Air Peace flight 5N-CEF, E-195, reported observing bird strike during the pilot inspection of the aircraft after landing. The bird was stuck on the landing gear,” he said.

He disclosed that during interactions with airport officials, the pilot reported hearing a sound about 200 metres while approaching Osubi Airport, although the Incident/Bird Strike Information System (IBIS) report reportedly indicated the occurrence was at about 50 feet above the runway threshold.

“The pilot never reported hearing sounds on approach to Air Traffic Control, neither has he reported any bird strike to ATC until now,” Egwuatu stated.

According to him, wildlife hazard control officers conducted inspections before and after the aircraft's arrival, but found no bird carcass, feathers or evidence of bird activity around the runway.

“In fact, there were no bird activities prior to landing and after landing. Propane cannon, chemical deterrents and pyrotechnics were deployed and they were effective.

“It is possible that the pilot picked the bird 200 metres, as he told us before the station manager and Head of Operations, or elsewhere, but not within Osubi Aerodrome,” he said.

The airport manager also dismissed reports suggesting Air Peace had suspended operations to Osubi, saying the airport had not received any such notification from the airline.

“We are not aware of any suspension of operations of Air Peace at Osubi Airport. You may need to crosscheck your information with Air Peace,” he added.

Meanwhile, the said aircraft "has departed safely at about 1450hrs," a follow-up message from the manager on Saturday, stated.