BREAKING: Air Peace Pilot, Co-pilot Test Positive For Alcohol, Cannabis While Flying 103 Passengers

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has found an Air Peace pilot and co-pilot positive for alcohol and drugs after a runway incident at the Port Harcourt International Airport.

The incident happened on July 13, 2025, when an Air Peace Boeing 737 with 103 passengers on board veered off Runway 21 after an unstabilised final approach.

Fortunately, no lives were lost, and all passengers and crew disembarked safely.

According to the NSIB preliminary report, the aircraft touched down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold — far beyond the recommended zone and finally came to a stop 209 metres into the clearway.

The bureau confirmed that toxicological screening carried out on the flight crew at Rivers State Hospital, Port Harcourt, revealed traces of alcohol and drugs.

The statement partly reads:

“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 NSIB has issued immediate safety recommendations for Air Peace Limited to strengthen crew resource management training, particularly in handling unstabilised approaches and go-around decisions, and to reinforce internal procedures for crew fitness-for-duty monitoring before flight dispatch.

“Toxicological test was conducted on the flight crew at Rivers State Hospital Management, Department of Medical Laboratory, Port Harcourt, on 13th July 2025, and they tested positive for some substances. Toxicological screening conducted post-incident revealed that Captain and First Officer tested positive for Ethyl Glucuronide, indicating recent alcohol consumption.”