The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), released its preliminary report on the Air Peace incident that occurred on July 13, 2025, at the Obafemi Awolowo International Airport in Port Harcourt recently with information that jolts the general public. The report reveals some concerning findings regarding the crew’s fitness for duty.
According to the NSIB, initial toxicological tests conducted on the flight crew showed positive results for substances indicative of alcohol consumption. Additionally, a cabin crew member tested positive for THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis.
This incident involved an Air Peace Boeing 737-524 aircraft with registration 5N-BQQ, operating a scheduled domestic flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt with 103 persons on board. The aircraft landed long on Runway 21 after an unstabilized final approach, touching down 2,264 meters from the runway threshold and coming to a halt 209 meters into the clearway. Fortunately, all passengers and crew disembarked safely without injuries.
The NSIB, in its preliminary report, highlights concern about crew fitness for duty, given the positive toxicology results for alcohol and cannabis. The Bureau has issued immediate safety recommendations to Air Peace, emphasizing the need for enhanced Crew Resource Management (CRM) training for pilots, stricter monitoring for fitness-for-duty checks, and a stronger emphasis on go-around procedures during unstabilized approaches.
Air Peace on the other hand has expressed its commitment to safety, stating it has a “very strict alcohol use policy that is stricter than the 8 hours before the flight as provided in the regulations. Drug use is a no-no”. The airline confirmed that the captain involved in the incident was grounded and relieved of duties for failing to adhere to Crew Resource Management principles and ignoring go-around procedures.
The First Officer, who allegedly advised the captain to go around, has been reinstated to active flying duties with approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
There’s been a bit of a back-and-forth between the NSIB and Air Peace regarding the incident. Air Peace disputes the NSIB’s claims regarding the co-pilot’s involvement with alcohol or drugs. The airline states that the co-pilot was cleared by the NCAA and reinstated to active flying duties.
The captain, the airline also says, was grounded for failing to adhere to CRM principles and ignoring the co-pilot’s advice to go around.
In Nigeria’s aviation sector, the NCAA emphasizes safety and compliance with regulations. Air Peace says it has a strict alcohol and drug use policy for crew members.
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But based on the incident, if the captain tested positive for alcohol, Air Peace just have to increase the frequency of alcohol and drug tests for crew members to ward off future occurrence.
I think what matters here is for Air Peace to be more attentive to this area of fault while not ignoring other areas it is still found wanting in maintaining foolproof safety standard and being above board in passengers’ protection and care.
The incident underscores the importance of maintaining the highest standards of safety in Nigeria’s aviation sector. The need for rigorous crew fitness checks and adherence to safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future is clear.
I commend NSIB for its boldness to come out with the report, despite all envisaged odds. This is the first time in the history of Nigeria that the agency will come out so bold to hit the nail on the head with no fair or favour. This is worth commendation.
As NSIB continues in its investigation, the aviation community will be watching closely for the final report and any additional safety recommendations.
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