The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has indicted an Air Peace pilot and co-pilot for testing positive for alcohol and drugs following a runway excursion at Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025.
A preliminary report, issued by Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at NSIB, detailed the incident involving an Air Peace Boeing 737 aircraft with 103 passengers on board.
The domestic flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt experienced an unstabilised final approach, landing long on Runway 21. The aircraft touched down 2,264 meters from the runway threshold and stopped 209 meters into the clearway.
A runway excursion occurs when an aircraft veers off or overruns a runway during takeoff or landing, often due to miscommunication, pilot error, equipment issues, or runway conditions. This incident highlighted pilot intoxication as a contributing factor.
Incident Overview
The aircraft sustained no damage, and all passengers and crew disembarked safely with no injuries. However, toxicological tests conducted on July 13, 2025, at Rivers State Hospital Management’s Department of Medical Laboratory revealed that the captain and first officer tested positive for Ethyl Glucuronide, indicating recent alcohol consumption.
A cabin crew member also tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in cannabis.
The NSIB is reviewing these toxicology results as part of its human performance and safety management analysis, critical to aviation incident investigations.
Safety Recommendations Issued
The NSIB issued immediate safety recommendations to Air Peace, including:
- Enhancing crew resource management training to address unstabilised approaches and go-around decisions.
- Strengthening procedures for monitoring crew fitness-for-duty before flights.
The report noted,
“Initial toxicological tests on the flight crew showed positive results for substances, including alcohol indicators. A cabin crew member tested positive for THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis.
These findings are under review as part of the investigation’s human performance and safety management components.”
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