WorldStage — The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB ) has indicted an Air Peace pilot and a Co-pilot for taking alcohol and other substances.
The accident investigators tested the crew positive for the substances after the aircraft they flew was involved in a runway excursion at the Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13.
This was contained in a preliminary report signed by Mrs Bimbo Oladeji, the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau.
However, Air Peace has rejected the NSIB’s preliminary report, saying it has not received official communication from NSIB on findings from the July 13 Port Harcourt incident.
The airline, in a statement on Friday, rejected NSIB’s preliminary report released in Lagos.
Oladeji said the NSIB preliminary report on Air Peace 5N-BQQ incident occurred on July 13 at Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo International Airport, Omagwa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State revealed alcohol and substances consumption by flight crew.
The NSIB said the initial toxicological tests conducted on the flight crew revealed positive results for certain substances, including indicators of alcohol consumption.
According to the bureau, 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 Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released the preliminary report on its ongoing investigation into the serious incident involving a Boeing 737-524 aircraft, with nationality and registration marks 5N-BQQ, operated by Air Peace Ltd.
“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.
“Initial toxicological tests conducted on the flight crew revealed positive results for certain substances, including indicators of alcohol consumption.”
The NSIB said a cabin crew member also tested positive for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component in cannabis.
It added that the results were being reviewed under the human performance and safety management components of the investigation.
The bureau said it had issued immediate safety recommendations for Air Peace Ltd. to strengthen crew resource management (CRM) training, particularly in handling unstabilised approaches and go-around decisions.
“Also to reinforce internal procedures for crew fitness-for-duty monitoring before flight dispatch. The full preliminary report, including detailed findings, is available for download on the NSIB website.
“The report represents early findings and is subject to further analysis. The final report will present detailed conclusions and additional recommendations to enhance aviation safety in Nigeria, “ it said.
“For further enquiries or media requests, please contact NSIB through info@nsib.gov.ng and NSIB_Nigeria on its social media platforms. The Bureau can also be reached on its emergency line +234-807-709-0909,” it said.
NSIB is the multimodal transport agency charged with the mandate of promoting transport safety and conducting objective, comprehensive, and accurate investigations into transport accidents and incidents in Nigeria.
NSIB’s mandate is also aimed at identifying the probable causes and advocating for safety improvements based on our findings.
AIR PEACE REJECTS REPORT
Menawhile, Air Peace has insisisted that it has not received official communication from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) on findings from the July 13 Port Harcourt incident.
The airline, in a statement on Friday, rejected NSIB’s preliminary report released in Lagos.
It stressed that more than a month after the incident, no official findings had been sent, in spite of immediate post-incident crew alcohol testing within an hour.
“As a responsible airline, we prioritise safety, transparency and compliance. It is necessary to set the record straight,” the statement read.
Air Peace added that it conducts regular alcohol and drug tests, enforcing stricter rules than the eight-hour pre-flight limit required by regulation.
The airline disclosed that the flight captain was grounded and remains off duty for failing to adhere to Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles.
It explained that the sanction was not for a positive alcohol test result, as NSIB has not communicated such findings.
The First Officer, praised for calling for a go-around, has been reinstated with full approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
“If he was involved in drug or alcohol use, NCAA would not have cleared him to resume flying duties,” the airline stated.
Air Peace noted it would intensify alcohol and drug testing if NSIB eventually confirms a positive test result for the relieved captain.
The airline also emphasised the need for stronger Enhanced Crew Resource Management training.
It pledged stricter fitness-for-duty checks and tighter internal monitoring to reinforce its zero-tolerance safety policy.
