The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has revealed that an Air Peace pilot and co-pilot tested positive for alcohol and other substances following a runway excursion at Port Harcourt International Airport on 13 July.
According to a preliminary report signed by Mrs Bimbo Oladeji, Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at the NSIB, toxicology tests confirmed substance use among the cockpit crew.
Oladeji stated: “The NSIB preliminary report on the Air Peace 5N-BQQ incident, which occurred on 13 July at Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo International Airport, Omagwa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, revealed alcohol and substances consumption by the flight crew.”
The NSIB confirmed that toxicological screenings indicated alcohol consumption among the pilots, while a cabin crew member also tested positive for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in cannabis.
The incident involved a Boeing 737-524 aircraft, registration 5N-BQQ, operating a scheduled domestic service from Lagos to Port Harcourt with 103 people on board. Investigators found that the aircraft landed long on Runway 21 after an unstabilised final approach, touching down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold before coming to a halt 209 metres into the clearway. All passengers and crew disembarked safely, and no injuries were reported.
The bureau emphasised that the findings were part of an ongoing investigation:
“Initial toxicological tests conducted on the flight crew revealed positive results for certain substances, including indicators of alcohol consumption.”
The NSIB said the results are being reviewed under human performance and safety management aspects of the investigation.
In response, the bureau has issued immediate safety recommendations to Air Peace Ltd, including strengthening crew resource management (CRM) training, particularly for handling unstabilised approaches and go-around procedures. Reinforcing internal procedures for monitoring crew fitness-for-duty before flight dispatch.
“The report represents early findings and is subject to further analysis. The final report will present detailed conclusions and additional recommendations to enhance aviation safety in Nigeria,” the NSIB added.
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