The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has confirmed that an Air Peace pilot and co-pilot tested positive for alcohol and hard drugs following a serious runway incident at the Port Harcourt International Airport.
According to a preliminary report signed by the NSIB Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, and released on Friday, toxicological tests conducted on the crew revealed the presence of alcohol in their systems, while a cabin crew member also tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in cannabis.
The incident occurred on July 13, 2025, when an Air Peace Boeing 737 aircraft carrying 103 passengers veered off Runway 21 after an unstabilised final approach and long landing.
“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.”
The NSIB said the event is a “serious incident” and noted that pilot intoxication has now been identified as a contributing factor. “Toxicological screening conducted post-incident revealed that the captain and first officer tested positive for ethyl glucuronide, indicating recent alcohol consumption,” the report stated.
The report also revealed that a crew member tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active compound found in cannabis, colloquially referred to as “India hemp.”
“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 said.
While runway incursions are often linked to miscommunication, equipment failure, or poor runway conditions, the Bureau stressed that the discovery of drug and alcohol use among the crew has raised urgent safety concerns.
In response, the NSIB said it has issued immediate safety recommendations to Air Peace Limited, directing the airline to reinforce crew resource management training, improve handling of unstabilised approaches and go-around procedures, and strengthen internal systems for monitoring crew fitness before dispatch.
