The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has disclosed that the Air Peace pilot and co-pilot who flew the aircraft which overshot its runway in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on July 13, tested positive for alcohol and drug.
NSIB announced this in a preliminary report it released Thursday, signed by its Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Bimbo Oladeji.
The said Air Peace plane veered off the runway after landing at the Port Harcourt International Airport.
The aircraft, with registration 5N-BQQ, was flying a scheduled Lagos–Port Harcourt service when it landed long on Runway 21.
According to the report, the jet, carrying 103 people, touched down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold and eventually came to a halt 209 metres into the clearway.
NSIB also said all passengers and crew disembarked without injury.
The investigator described the incident as an “unstabilised final approach”.
“Toxicological test was conducted on the Flight crew at Rivers State Hospital Management Board, department of Medical Laboratory Port Harcourt on 13 July 2025 and they tested positive for some substances, including indicators of alcohol consumption,” NSIB said.
“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.
“Captain and First Officer: Tested positive for Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG), indicating recent alcohol consumption.
“Captain: Also tested positive for cotinine, indicating recent nicotine use.
“Cabin Crew Member: Tested positive for THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis.
The bureau further said it has issued immediate safety recommendations for Air Peace Limited to strengthen crew resource management (CRM) training, particularly in handling unstabilised approaches and go-around decisions, and to reinforce internal procedures for crew fitness-for-duty monitoring before flight dispatch.
NSIB also said the scope and sequence of the activities will be confirmed as the investigation progresses.
