Senate Clears Air Peace of Negligence in Port Harcourt Runway Incident, Faults NSIB Report

The Senate has exonerated Air Peace of any negligence or misconduct in connection with the Port Harcourt runway incident, accusing the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) of issuing a contradictory and poorly coordinated preliminary report that could harm the nation’s aviation reputation.

The decision came after a one-day investigative hearing by the Senate Committee on Aviation on Thursday. Speaking after the session, the Committee Chairman, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, said the Senate’s review of the NSIB’s report revealed multiple inconsistencies. According to him, the Bureau initially alleged that several Air Peace crew members tested positive for drugs before later revising the claim to only two individuals. Buhari warned that such discrepancies could undermine public confidence and damage Nigeria’s image before international aviation regulators if left unaddressed. The NSIB’s report, as presented, was riddled with contradictions and lacked proper coordination,” Senator Buhari said. “We cannot afford to have investigative bodies release inconsistent findings that could tarnish the image of Nigeria’s aviation sector. The Senate’s intervention followed public concern over the NSIB’s preliminary findings regarding a July 13, 2025, incident involving an Air Peace Boeing 737-524 aircraft, which overshot Runway 21 at the Port Harcourt International Airport. The plane, carrying 103 passengers and crew, landed long but stopped safely with no injuries or significant damage. In its preliminary report, the NSIB claimed that toxicology tests indicated traces of alcohol and THC in samples from some flight crew members, sparking outrage and prompting the legislative probe. Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema, who appeared before the Senate committee, dismissed the allegations as misleading and damaging to the airline’s reputation. He maintained that Air Peace operates a strict zero-tolerance policy toward alcohol and drug use, adding that the airline regularly conducts random tests for all flight and cabin crew members. Onyema explained that the pilot involved was one of Air Peace’s most experienced captains, and that the airline immediately grounded him pending internal review. He said the aircraft was inspected and ferried back to Lagos the same day, emphasizing that the company followed standard safety procedures. After reviewing evidence and hearing from stakeholders, the Senate committee concluded that there was no proof of negligence or misconduct on the part of Air Peace or its crew. Lawmakers instead faulted the NSIB for procedural lapses, lack of coordination, and the premature release of unverified findings. Senator Buhari said the Senate’s final report would recommend reforms aimed at strengthening aviation safety oversight, improving coordination among agencies, and ensuring greater accuracy in future investigative reports. Industry observers have welcomed the Senate’s verdict as a boost to confidence in domestic carriers, particularly Air Peace, while urging regulators to adopt clearer communication strategies in handling sensitive aviation matters. The NSIB has since stated that its report remains preliminary and that further investigations are ongoing before the final findings are released. The Senate’s comprehensive report on the matter is expected to be made public in the coming weeks.