September 12, 2025-Published by Cyril
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has confirmed that members of an Air Peace flight crew tested positive for alcohol and hard drugs after a runway incident involving the airline’s Boeing 737-524 aircraft at the Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025.
According to the preliminary report signed by the Bureau’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, toxicology tests revealed that both the captain and co-pilot had alcohol in their systems, while a cabin crew member tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in cannabis.
The Runway Excursion Incident
The incident occurred when the aircraft, operating a domestic Lagos–Port Harcourt flight with 103 passengers, experienced an unstabilised final approach before landing long on Runway 21.
The NSIB reported that the jet touched down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold — far beyond the recommended touchdown zone — and eventually came to a stop 209 metres into the clearway.
Thankfully, all passengers and crew disembarked safely, and no injuries or aircraft damage were recorded. However, the occurrence raised serious safety concerns about crew fitness.
Test Results and Safety Findings
The toxicological screening, conducted at the Rivers State Hospital Management Department of Medical Laboratory, Port Harcourt, revealed:
Both the captain and first officer tested positive for Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG), a marker indicating recent alcohol consumption.
A cabin crew member tested positive for THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.
The NSIB noted that the results are still being analysed under the human performance and safety management framework, which plays a critical role in aviation investigations.
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Safety Recommendations Issued
In response, the Bureau has issued immediate safety recommendations to Air Peace Limited, urging the airline to:
- Strengthen Crew Resource Management (CRM) training, especially in handling unstabilised approaches and making go-around decisions.
- Reinforce internal crew fitness-for-duty monitoring procedures before flight dispatch.
The Bureau emphasised that the preliminary report represents early findings and that a final investigation report will provide detailed conclusions and additional recommendations to improve aviation safety in Nigeria.
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