The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has blamed an Air Peace pilot and co-pilot for testing positive for alcohol and drugs after a runway excursion at Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025.
According to a preliminary report from Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at NSIB, the case involved an Air Peace Boeing 737 carrying 103 passengers.
What Happened
The flight left Lagos for Port Harcourt but encountered an unstable approach before landing. The jet touched down late on Runway 21, around 2,264 meters from the threshold, and eventually came to a halt 209 meters into the clearway.
Although no one was injured and the plane sustained no damage, investigators discovered troubling details. Toxicology tests conducted that day at Rivers State Hospital confirmed both pilots tested positive for Ethyl Glucuronide, a marker of alcohol consumption. A cabin crew member also tested positive for THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis.
Why It Matters
Runway excursions often occur when an aircraft overruns or veers off the runway. Contributing factors may include pilot mistakes, poor communication, equipment faults, or adverse runway conditions. In this case, intoxication played a major role.
Safety Measures
The NSIB issued urgent recommendations to Air Peace, urging the airline to:
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Improve crew resource management training, especially for unstable approaches and go-around calls.
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Strengthen fitness-for-duty checks for crew members before flights.
In its statement, NSIB stressed:
“Initial toxicology results showed alcohol in both pilots and THC in one cabin crew member. These findings remain under review as part of our human performance and safety management analysis.”
The investigation is ongoing
