…urges Air Peace to reinforce internal procedures to ensure that no crew member boards an aircraft under the influence.
PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has confirmed that both the pilot and co-pilot of an Air Peace flight involved in a runway excursion at Port Harcourt International Airport tested positive for substances including alcohol and cannabis.
The incident, which occurred on July 13, 2025, involved a Boeing 737 aircraft operated by Air Peace. The plane, carrying 103 passengers, veered off Runway 21 after an unstabilised final approach, landing far beyond the recommended touchdown zone. Although no injuries were reported, and all on board disembarked safely, the occurrence has raised serious aviation safety concerns.
A preliminary report released by the NSIB and signed by the agency’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, revealed that toxicological tests conducted immediately after the incident showed positive results for alcohol in the systems of the flight crew, with one cabin crew member also testing positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) the psychoactive substance in cannabis.
“Toxicological screening conducted post-incident revealed that the Captain and First Officer tested positive for Ethyl Glucuronide, indicating recent alcohol consumption,” the report noted.
Further analysis showed that the aircraft touched down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold well beyond the standard landing zone and only came to a stop 209 metres into the clearway. This, the Bureau observed, was the direct result of an unstabilised final approach, now linked to compromised crew performance.
The NSIB described the situation as a “serious incident” and emphasized the role of human performance in its ongoing investigation.
“These toxicology results are being reviewed within the scope of human performance and safety management both critical to aviation investigations,” the agency stated.
In response to the findings, the Bureau has issued urgent safety recommendations to Air Peace Limited. These include improved crew resource management training, stricter fitness-for-duty monitoring, and enhanced protocols for responding to unstabilised approaches and go-around decisions.
“The NSIB has urged Air Peace to immediately reinforce internal procedures to ensure that no crew member boards an aircraft under the influence of substances that may impair judgment or reaction time,” Oladeji added.
A runway excursion is defined as an unauthorised or unsafe deviation of an aircraft beyond the paved runway area, often due to pilot error, mechanical issues, or external hazards. This case adds a worrying new dimension intoxication.
As the investigation continues, the Bureau has reiterated its commitment to prioritising public safety and ensuring accountability in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
