Air Peace Pilot, Co-Pilot Test Positive for Alcohol Following Runway Incident, NSIB Report Finds

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has reported 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 component of cannabis.

The preliminary report, signed by NSIB Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji and released on Friday, details the incident involving Air Peace flight 5N-BQQ, a Boeing 737-524 operating a scheduled service from Lagos to Port Harcourt with 103 passengers and crew on board.

According to the report, the aircraft executed an unstabilized approach, landing long on Runway 21. It touched down 2,264 meters from the threshold and overran, coming to a stop 209 meters into the clearway. There were no injuries among the passengers or crew.

Initial toxicological tests conducted on the flight crew “revealed positive results for certain substances, including indicators of alcohol consumption,” the NSIB stated. The cabin crew member tested positive for THC.

In its preliminary recommendations, the NSIB urged Air Peace to enhance its Crew Resource Management (CRM) training, particularly focusing on managing unstabilized approaches and the decision to execute a go-around. The bureau also advised the airline to reinforce its procedures for monitoring crew fitness prior to flight dispatch.

In an official statement released Friday, Air Peace stated it had not yet received any formal communication from the NSIB regarding the findings more than a month after the incident. The airline emphasized its strict internal policies, which include frequent alcohol and drug tests and a zero-tolerance policy for drugs. It noted that its alcohol restrictions are even stricter than those mandated by regulators.

The airline also clarified that the captain involved has been grounded for failure to adhere to CRM principles and for disregarding a go-around callout. The co-pilot, who advocated for the go-around, has been cleared to return to duty by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Air Peace committed to increasing the frequency of its crew testing if the allegations are confirmed.

The NSIB noted that the findings are preliminary and that a final report with further safety recommendations will be issued upon completion of the investigation.