The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has found that an Air Peace pilot and a co-pilot tested positive for alcohol and drugs after their aircraft was involved in a runway excursion at Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025.
This information came from a preliminary report provided by Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, the NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance.
On the morning of July 13, an Air Peace aircraft veered off the runway after landing at Port Harcourt International Airport. A runway excursion occurs when an aircraft leaves the side or overruns the end of a runway during takeoff or landing. While miscommunication, human error, equipment failure, and runway issues often cause these incidents, this new discovery has added pilot intoxication to the list.
The NSIB’s report stated that the pilots, flying a Boeing 737 with 103 people on board, were involved in a serious incident. The aircraft, on a scheduled domestic flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt, had an unstabilized final approach and landed long on Runway 21. It touched down 2,264 meters from the runway threshold and stopped 209 meters into the clearway. All passengers and crew exited safely, and no injuries were reported.
The domestic flight, originating in Lagos, experienced an unstabilized final approach before landing long. The NSIB revealed the aircraft touched down far past the recommended touchdown zone and stopped in the clearway. While everyone on board was safe, the incident immediately raised significant safety concerns.
Toxicology Tests Reveal Substances
Preliminary reports confirmed that the flight crew’s toxicological test results were positive. The tests showed alcohol in the crew’s system, and another crew member also tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active compound in cannabis, also known as “Indian hemp.”
The NSIB noted that it is assessing these results as part of its human performance and safety management investigation, which are crucial for aviation incident analysis. Following the findings, the NSIB issued immediate safety recommendations to the airline. The statement also included this quote: “Initial toxicological tests conducted on the flight crew revealed positive results for certain substances, including indicators of alcohol consumption. A cabin crew member also tested positive for THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis. These results are being reviewed under the human performance and safety management components of the investigation.”
The NSIB has advised Air Peace to enhance crew resource management training, particularly for handling unstabilized approaches and making go-around decisions. It also recommended reinforcing internal procedures for monitoring crew members’ fitness for duty before flight dispatch.
Post-Incident Testing and Findings
Toxicological tests were conducted on the flight crew at the Rivers State Hospital Management’s medical laboratory department in Port Harcourt on July 13, 2025, the same day of the incident. The post-incident screening revealed that the Captain and First Officer tested positive for Ethyl Glucuronide, a substance indicating recent alcohol consumption.
See Also: Again, Air Peace Aircraft Skids Off Port Harcourt Airport Runway
