by Nigerian News24 Correspondents
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has disclosed that the pilot and co-pilot of an Air Peace flight tested positive for alcohol following a runway excursion at Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025.
A cabin crew member also tested positive for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive substance in cannabis, according to a preliminary report released on Friday.
The report, signed by Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, confirmed that the incident involved Air Peace flight 5N-BQQ, a Boeing 737-524 operating from Lagos to Port Harcourt with 103 passengers and crew on board.
Investigators said the aircraft landed long on Runway 21 after an unstabilised approach, touching down 2,264 metres from the threshold and coming to a stop 209 metres into the clearway. No injuries were recorded.
Toxicology tests carried out on the crew indicated alcohol use by the pilots and THC in one cabin crew member, which NSIB said it is reviewing as part of its ongoing safety assessment.
The bureau recommended that Air Peace improve crew resource management (CRM) training—particularly in handling unstabilised approaches and go-around decisions—and strengthen pre-flight checks on crew fitness. It stressed that these were preliminary findings, with a full report and further safety recommendations to follow.
Air Peace Reacts
In response, Air Peace issued a statement on Friday rejecting claims that it had been officially notified of the toxicology results. The airline stressed that, more than a month after the incident, it had yet to receive formal communication from the NSIB.
The airline emphasized its strict no-drug policy and alcohol restrictions, which it said go beyond regulatory requirements, adding that it routinely conducts drug and alcohol tests on its staff.
Air Peace further revealed that the captain involved had been grounded for ignoring CRM principles and failing to heed go-around instructions. However, the co-pilot, who had advised a go-around, has been cleared to resume flying duties by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The airline added that if the captain is eventually confirmed to have tested positive for alcohol, it will increase the frequency of crew drug and alcohol testing across its operations.