Ground Equipment Collision Damages Air Peace E2 Jet, Disrupting Lagos–Accra Route

December 27, 2025 at 12:42 AM•2 min read

Air Peace Lagos–Accra flight was disrupted after a ground handling conveyor belt struck the aircraft's engine cover, forcing passengers to disembark and causing subsequent operational

Key Points

1A ground handling conveyor belt collision damaged a brand-new Air Peace Embraer 195-E2 jet at Lagos' MMIA.
2The incident grounded the aircraft for safety checks, disrupting the Lagos–Accra flight and nine subsequent scheduled sectors.
3Damage to the engine's Thrust Reverser Cowling carries an estimated repair cost of up to $3.5 million, based on a similar prior incident.
4The NCAA confirmed the airline faces passenger compensation claims under Part 19 Regulations and is seeking stricter sanctions for ground handling companies.

A brand-new Air Peace Embraer 195-E2 aircraft was grounded following a significant ground handling incident. A conveyor belt vehicle collided with the jet at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. This collision occurred just after passengers had completed boarding for the scheduled Lagos–Accra flight (P47750).

Incident Details and Immediate Response

The impact caused visible damage to the aircraft’s engine. Specifically, the ground handling equipment damage affected the Thrust Reverser Cowling, which is a component of the aircraft engine cover. No injuries were reported among the approximately 150 passengers or crew. Air Peace confirmed the incident. The airline spokesperson, Osifo-Whiskey Efe, stated that all passengers were immediately disembarked. They were then transferred to another aircraft as a necessary safety precaution.

Operational and Financial Impact

This single incident caused a major Air Peace flight disruption. The grounded Embraer 195-E2 was scheduled to operate nine subsequent flight sectors. All passengers booked on these later operations will experience delays or cancellations.

Repairing damage to modern jet engines is capital-intensive. A similar engine cowling incident earlier in the year reportedly cost the airline around $3.5 million to fix. This highlights the high airline operational costs associated with ramp accidents.

Regulatory Scrutiny and Safety Standards

Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), confirmed the incident. He noted that the airline would face consequences like compensation claims under NCAA Part 19 Regulations 2023. This is true even though the damage was not the airline's fault.

Achimugu emphasized the need for better aviation safety standards and accountability. He called for naming and shaming poorly trained ground handling personnel. The NCAA is now considering strengthening regulations. These new rules would impose heavier sanctions on service providers responsible for such incidents. The goal is to protect airlines like Air Peace from avoidable financial and reputational damage.

Ground damage incidents are a recurring issue in the industry. They significantly impact the passenger experience disruption and operational efficiency. For more information on commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights. The grounding of a new Embraer E2 jet is a notable setback for the carrier's fleet utilization.