Hydraulic Failure Forces Rejected Takeoff of Air Peace ERJ-145 in Kaduna

Kaduna, Nigeria – On January 14th, 2021, an Air Peace Embraer ERJ-145, registered as 5N-BVD, narrowly avoided a potential disaster after a hydraulic system failure forced the crew to abort takeoff at Kaduna Airport. The aircraft, operating flight P4-7377 from Kaduna to Lagos, had 49 passengers and four crew members on board when the incident occurred.

Incident Details

The aircraft was accelerating down the runway, having reached approximately 110 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS), when the crew began experiencing severe vibrations and shaking of the control column. Sensing that something was critically wrong, the captain quickly took control and initiated a rejected takeoff procedure. The aircraft was brought to a halt just 284 meters short of the runway’s end, narrowly avoiding a more serious incident. While the aircraft sustained minor damage, including destroyed left main tyres, there were no injuries among the passengers or crew.

Investigation and Key Findings

An immediate post-flight inspection and investigation revealed that the aircraft had been operating with a compromised hydraulic system. Notably, the crew had observed low hydraulic fluid levels during the inbound flight to Kaduna but had decided to continue the operation after monitoring the situation, likely underestimating the severity of the issue.

The root cause of the hydraulic failure was traced to a loose hydraulic brake hose coupling. This defect resulted in significant hydraulic fluid leakage, compromising the integrity of the hydraulic system. The vibrations and control difficulties experienced by the crew during the takeoff roll were direct consequences of this failure. The crew’s decision to abort the takeoff was the correct course of action under the circumstances, as continuing the takeoff could have led to a catastrophic situation given the aircraft’s compromised braking and control systems.

Contributory Factors

The investigation highlighted several contributory factors that exacerbated the incident. The most significant was the decision to operate the aircraft despite the known hydraulic system issue, which violated Air Peace’s maintenance and safety protocols. Additionally, the lack of clear and definitive warnings or indications of hydraulic failure on the flight deck may have contributed to the crew’s initial decision to proceed with the flight. This points to a potential gap in the aircraft’s fault detection and alert systems, which should have provided more explicit alerts regarding the severity of the hydraulic issue.

Safety Implications

This incident underscores the critical importance of adhering to strict maintenance protocols and ensuring that all aircraft systems are fully operational before attempting takeoff. The decision-making process of the crew was influenced by the inadequate alert systems, which failed to convey the true extent of the hydraulic failure. As such, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the necessity for robust diagnostic systems that can accurately inform the crew of potential failures, thereby enabling more informed and safer decisions.

Moreover, the rejected takeoff procedure was executed effectively, demonstrating the importance of rigorous crew training for emergency scenarios. The quick thinking and decisive action by the captain likely prevented a more severe outcome.

Conclusion

The Air Peace ERJ-145 incident at Kaduna serves as a valuable case study in aviation safety, particularly in the context of hydraulic system management and the importance of strict adherence to maintenance procedures. The investigation’s findings will likely lead to revisions in both aircraft maintenance practices and cockpit alert systems, aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The aviation community will be watching closely to see how Air Peace and the broader industry respond to this incident, with the goal of enhancing safety protocols and ensuring the continued safety of air travel in Nigeria and beyond.