The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has confirmed that two Air Peace pilots tested positive for alcohol and cannabis following a runway excursion involving their aircraft at Port Harcourt International Airport on 13 July 2025.
This was revealed in a preliminary accident report signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at the NSIB, Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji.
According to the report, the incident occurred when a Boeing 737 aircraft, operating a scheduled domestic flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt with 103 people on board, veered off Runway 21 after landing from an unstabilised approach. The aircraft touched down 2,264 metres beyond the runway threshold and eventually came to a halt 209 metres into the clearway.
Although no injuries or structural damage were recorded, the NSIB launched a full investigation due to the serious safety implications.
The most concerning findings came from toxicological tests, which revealed that both the Captain and First Officer had recently consumed alcohol, with post-incident screening showing positive results for Ethyl Glucuronide—a metabolic marker indicating recent alcohol intake. Additionally, a cabin crew member tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component in cannabis.
The NSIB emphasised that the presence of intoxicants among flight crew poses a significant threat to aviation safety. In response, the bureau has issued immediate safety recommendations to Air Peace, including:
Strengthening crew resource management training, particularly in recognising and responding to unstabilised approaches.
Reinforcing internal procedures for crew fitness-for-duty checks prior to flight dispatch.
An aircraft incursion is defined as the unauthorised or incorrect presence of an aircraft on the runway, and can result from a variety of factors. With this latest revelation, crew intoxication has been added to the list of potential causes, alongside equipment failures, miscommunication, and environmental conditions.
The NSIB continues its full investigation and is expected to release a final report upon conclusion.
