Osubi Airstrip in Delta State’s Okpe Local Government Area has firmly denied allegations that a bird strike incident involving an Air Peace jet occurred within its perimeter. The airport management believes the bird was likely hit before the aircraft reached its airspace.
The controversy erupted after Air Peace took to Instagram on June 5, stating that its Lagos–Osubi route experienced a bird strike upon landing. The airline reported that the Embraer E-195 jet underwent safety evaluations post-landing, and preliminary checks revealed the landing gear required further inspection. Consequently, the return flight to Lagos was canceled, with passengers offered accommodation and assistance.
Winston Egwuatu, manager of Osubi Airstrip, strongly countered the airline’s version. He highlighted the airport’s recent achievement of nearly two consecutive years without any bird strikes—a notable safety record in the Nigerian aviation industry. According to Egwuatu, investigations suggest the bird was not struck at Osubi. He noted that flight 5N-CEF, an Embraer E-195, showed signs of a bird strike during the pilot’s post-landing inspection, with bird remains found on the landing gear. However, during conversations with airport officials, the pilot mentioned hearing a sound roughly 200 meters from the airstrip while on approach, though the official report indicated the incident occurred at about 50 feet above the runway. Surprisingly, the pilot never communicated any bird strike to Air Traffic Control earlier.
Wildlife hazard control officers conducted thorough runway inspections both before and after the aircraft’s arrival, finding no bird carcasses, feathers, or any evidence of bird activity. Deterrent measures like propane cannons and chemical agents were in place and effective. Egwuatu emphasized that it is plausible the bird strike happened 200 meters outside the aerodrome, as the pilot indicated, but definitely not within Osubi Airstrip. He also refuted speculation that Air Peace had suspended operations to the airport, stating that no such notification has been received.
On Saturday, the manager confirmed that the aircraft departed safely at approximately 2:50 PM.