Osubi Airport Refutes Air Peace Bird Strike Claim

Osubi Airport Disputes Wildlife Hazard Claim

Management at Osubi Airport in Delta State has formally refuted allegations that an Air Peace aircraft suffered a bird strike within its perimeter. The dispute follows a June 5, 2026, statement from the airline, which claimed its flight between Lagos and Osubi experienced a bird strike upon landing, resulting in technical assessments and the subsequent cancellation of the return service. Osubi Airport Manager Winston Egwuatu countered the claim, citing the facility's recent achievement of nearly two years without a single recorded bird strike—a significant milestone for Nigeria aviation wildlife hazard management.

Technical Assessment and Incident Data

According to Air Peace, the incident involved an Embraer E-195 aircraft, identified by registration 5N-CEF. Following the landing, the airline reported that post-flight inspections revealed evidence of a bird strike on the landing gear. However, Osubi Airport officials maintain that the incident did not occur within their aerodrome. Egwuatu noted that during discussions with airport staff, the pilot reported hearing a sound approximately 200 meters from the airport during the approach. This aligns with preliminary data from the ICAO Bird Strike Information System (IBIS), which indicated the event likely occurred at an altitude of 50 feet above the runway threshold, placing it outside the immediate jurisdiction of the airport's wildlife control efforts.

Wildlife Hazard Control Protocols

Airport management emphasized that strict safety protocols were in place during the arrival of Air Peace flight 5N-CEF. Wildlife hazard control officers conducted thorough inspections both before and after the aircraft's arrival, finding no evidence of bird carcasses, feathers, or elevated activity near the runway. The airport utilizes a combination of propane cannons, chemical deterrents, and pyrotechnics to mitigate wildlife risks. Egwuatu stated that the pilot did not report any bird strike to Air Traffic Control (ATC) during the approach, nor was any sound reported to the tower, suggesting the strike occurred elsewhere.

Industry Context and Operational Impact

This incident highlights the broader challenge of wildlife hazards in the Nigerian aviation sector, where airlines have faced at least 11 bird strike incidents in the first half of 2026 alone. These events frequently lead to unscheduled maintenance, grounded aircraft, and significant schedule disruptions. For Air Peace, the incident resulted in the cancellation of the return flight to Lagos and required the airline to provide accommodation for stranded passengers. The dispute underscores the tension between airline operational liability and airport jurisdiction under Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) regulations, which mandate that strikes be reported within 30 days using the IBIS-ECCAIRS format.

What Comes Next: Regulatory Reporting

Following the disagreement, all parties are expected to finalize their formal reporting to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority. The mandatory IBIS-ECCAIRS bird strike report submission is confirmed for July 5, 2026. This filing is expected to provide definitive data on the incident's location and will serve as the primary evidence for resolving the dispute between the airport and the carrier. The aircraft involved in the incident reportedly departed safely from the airport on June 6, 2026, at approximately 1450 hours.

Why This Matters for Airport Safety

For regional airports, maintaining an accurate safety record is critical for operational reputation and regulatory compliance. The disagreement over the Osubi Airport bird strike claim illustrates the difficulty in pinpointing the exact location of wildlife impacts. As the NCAA continues to enforce stricter reporting standards, the ability of airports to prove the effectiveness of their wildlife hazard management plans remains a key factor in mitigating both safety risks and potential litigation from carriers.