A lagos/” title=”Police Hunt Suspected Land…Grabber After Tragic Deaths of 3 in …”>preliminary investigation by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has uncovered that both the captain and first officer of an Air Peace flight involved in a runway mishap tested positive for alcohol and drugs following the event.
The incident took place on July 13, 2025, when a Boeing 737 operated by Air Peace veered off the runway during its landing at Port Harcourt International Airport. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, and the aircraft did not sustain any damage. Nevertheless, the findings have sparked significant concerns regarding crew behavior and overall aviation safety standards.
The NSIB report detailed that the flight departed from Lagos carrying 103 passengers and was on its final approach to Runway 21 when the aircraft failed to maintain a stable descent for landing.
“Operating as a scheduled domestic service from Lagos to Port Harcourt with 103 individuals onboard, the aircraft landed long on Runway 21 following an unstabilized final approach. The touchdown occurred 2,264 meters beyond the runway threshold, and the plane came to rest 209 meters into the clearway,” the report explained.
“All passengers and crew exited the aircraft safely, with no injuries sustained.”
Subsequent toxicology tests performed at the Rivers State Hospital Management’s Medical Laboratory revealed alarming results. Both the pilot and co-pilot tested positive for Ethyl Glucuronide, a biomarker indicating recent alcohol consumption. Additionally, one member of the cabin crew was found to have tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in their system, the psychoactive compound present in cannabis, commonly referred to locally as “India hemp.”
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“Preliminary toxicological screening of the flight crew showed positive results for substances including markers of alcohol intake. Furthermore, a cabin crew member tested positive for THC, the active ingredient in cannabis. These findings are currently under review within the scope of human performance and safety management aspects of the investigation,” the NSIB stated.
The bureau highlighted that these toxicology outcomes are being carefully evaluated in relation to human performance limitations, a vital factor in aviation safety evaluations.
In response to the incident and the toxicology results, the NSIB has issued urgent safety directives to Air Peace.
“The NSIB has recommended immediate enhancements to Air Peace Limited’s crew resource management training, focusing on managing unstabilized approaches and making timely go-around decisions. Additionally, the bureau urged the airline to strengthen its internal protocols for assessing crew fitness-for-duty prior to flight dispatch,” the statement added.
The preliminary report was officially released to the press on Friday by Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, NSIB’s Public Affairs and Family Assistance Director.
A runway incursion, such as this event, is defined as the unauthorized or incorrect presence of an aircraft on a runway. While these incidents are often attributed to miscommunication, operational mistakes, equipment malfunctions, or adverse runway conditions, the NSIB has now identified pilot intoxication as a new contributing risk factor.
The investigation remains active, with further details anticipated in the NSIB’s comprehensive final report.
