Air Peace Limited interim-statement serious-incident APL/2021/11/22/INTR/03

On 22 November 2021, at 17:52 h, a Boeing 737-300 aircraft operated by Air Peace Limited, with nationality and registration marks 5N-BUQ, departed Sam Mbakwe airport, Owerri (DNIM) to Murtala Muhammed airport, Lagos (DNMM) as a scheduled passenger flight APK7159 on an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan.
The aircraft had operated four sectors earlier in the day with a different set of crew. The incident flight was the fourth and last sector for the day for the operating crew; in total, 5N-BUQ had operated seven sectors prior.
On board were 101 persons inclusive of two (2) cockpit crew members and four (4) Cabin Crew members, with endurance of three hours. The Captain was Pilot Flying (PF) while the First Officer was Pilot Monitoring (PM).
Some seconds after 17:53 h, passing 2,400 ft AGL, the aircraft experienced an engine failure which the crew identified as the left engine. The appropriate checklist was accomplished and the failed engine secured. The crew declared MAYDAY first to Owerri Tower and emergency services was activated.
At 17:59 h, the crew decided to divert to Port Harcourt Intl. Airport instead. APK7159 flew without further event for the next 22 minutes.
At 18:04 h, Owerri ATC in communication with DNPO ATC, confirmed that APK7159 was en route to Port Harcourt Intl. Airport.
At 18:15 h, APK7159 landed safely at DNPO and all passengers disembarked normally without injuries. Port Harcourt Tower subsequently notified Owerri ATC of the safe arrival of APK7159.
The serious incident occurred in daylight and Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) prevailed.