Air Peace Pilots Test Positive for Alcohol, Drugs Following Runway Excursion at Port Harcourt Airport
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has disclosed that the pilot and co-pilot of an Air Peace flight involved in a runway excursion incident at Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025, tested positive for alcohol and drugs.
This information was revealed in a preliminary report released by Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at NSIB, on Friday.
The incident occurred when Air Peace Flight P47190, operating a scheduled domestic service from Lagos to Port Harcourt, veered off the runway after landing.
The Boeing 737, carrying 103 passengers, touched down significantly beyond the recommended touchdown zone on Runway 21.
The aircraft came to a stop 209 meters into the clearway but fortunately sustained no damage, and all passengers and crew disembarked without injury.
According to the report, the plane experienced an unstabilised final approach and landed approximately 2,264 meters from the runway threshold, resulting in a serious safety event.
Runway excursions, where aircraft depart from the runway surface during takeoff or landing, are considered critical incidents in aviation safety.
Toxicology tests conducted immediately after the occurrence revealed that both the captain and first officer had recent alcohol consumption, indicated by the presence of Ethyl Glucuronide in their systems. Additionally, a cabin crew member tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive substance found in cannabis.
The NSIB emphasized that these results are being evaluated within the broader context of human performance and safety management—key aspects in aviation investigations. As a result of the findings, the bureau has issued urgent safety directives to Air Peace Limited.
The recommendations focus on improving crew resource management, especially in handling unstable approaches and making timely go-around decisions. The airline is also advised to strengthen its internal processes for monitoring crew fitness for duty prior to flight dispatch.
The toxicological screening was conducted at the Rivers State Hospital Management’s Department of Medical Laboratory in Port Harcourt on the day of the incident.
This revelation raises significant concerns about operational safety and regulatory compliance in Nigeria’s aviation sector, underscoring the need for stringent measures to ensure crew readiness and passenger safety.
