The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has disclosed that tests conducted on Air Peace flight crew involved in a serious runway incident at the Port Harcourt International Airport revealed positive results for certain substances, including indicators of alcohol consumption.
According to the Bureau, a cabin crew member also tested positive for THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis.
This is contained in the preliminary report on its ongoing investigation into the serious incident involving a Boeing 737-524 aircraft, with nationality and registration marks 5N-BQQ, operated by Air Peace Limited.
A statement by the Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance of the Bureau, Mrs Bimbo Oladeji made available to ThelensNG on Thursday noted that the incident occurred on July 13, 2025, at Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo International Airport, Omagwa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The NSIB explained that the aircraft, operating as a scheduled domestic flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt with 103 persons on board, landed long on Runway 21 after an unstabilised final approach.
The aircraft touched down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold and came to a final stop 209 metres into the clearway. All passengers and crew disembarked safely, and no injuries were reported.
“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 statement partly read.
The NSIB said it has issued immediate safety recommendations for Air Peace Limited to strengthen crew resource management (CRM) training, particularly in handling unstabilised approaches and go-around decisions, and to reinforce internal procedures for crew fitness-for-duty monitoring before flight dispatch.
It added that the full preliminary report, including detailed findings, is available for download on the NSIB website.
While noting that the report represents early findings and is subject to further analysis, the Bureau said that the final report will present detailed conclusions and additional recommendations to enhance aviation safety in Nigeria.
