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The initial report from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has revealed that the pilot and co-pilot of the airline flight involved in the runway incident that was tested positive for alcohol and drugs after the event.
The incident occurred on July 13, 2025, when the Boeing 737 operated by Air Peace turned from the runway during the landing at the Port Harcourt International Airport. Although there are no reported injuries and the aircraft was not damaged, the findings had caused serious concerns about crew behavior and flight safety.
According to NSIB, the flight had left Lagos with 103 passengers on the boat and was taking the final approach to Runway 21 when it failed to stabilize the right landing.
“The aircraft, which operates as a domestic flight scheduled from Lagos to Port Harcourt with 103 people on board, landed for a long time on runway 21 after an unstable final approach. The aircraft touched 2,264 meters from the runway threshold and came to the final stop of 209 meters to Clearway,” the report was stated.
“All passengers and crew down safely, and no injury is reported.”
However, post-incident toxicological testing conducted at the Rivers State Hospital Management Medical Laboratory Department revealed disturbing results. Both the captain and the first officer were tested positive for ethyl glucuronide, biomarker which showed the use of new alcohols. In addition, one cabin crew member was tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – psychoactive substances found in cannabis, were local known as “Indian flax.”
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“The initial toxicological test conducted on the flight crew revealed positive results for certain substances, including alcohol consumption indicators. A cabin crew member was also positive for THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis. These results were reviewed under the component of human performance management and safety management from the investigation,” NSIB said.
The bureau emphasizes that this toxicological finding is being analyzed in the context of limitations of human performance, an important aspect of evaluating aviation safety.
After the incidence and toxicological findings, the NSIB has issued an urgent safety recommendation to air peace.
“NSIB has issued direct safety recommendations for Air Peace Limited to strengthen crew resource management training, especially in dealing with unstable approaches and Go-Around decisions, and to strengthen internal procedures for monitoring failure for monitoring tasks before shipping,” the statement added.
Director of Public Affairs and NSIB Family Assistance, Ny. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji signed a preliminary report, which was provided for journalists on Friday.
The runway attack, as in this case, is defined as the presence of an illegal or wrong aircraft on the runway. While such incidents are usually associated with miscommunication, operational errors, equipment failures, or poor runway conditions, NSIB notes that pilot poisoning has now emerged as an additional risk factor.
Investigations are ongoing, and further findings are expected in the final report of the NSIB.
