ABUJA: The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has disclosed that preliminary toxicology tests on the crew of an Air Peace Boeing 737-524 aircraft showed positive results for alcohol and cannabis.
The incident occurred on July 13, 2025, when the aircraft, registered 5N-BQQ, landed long on Runway 21 at the Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo International Airport, Omagwa, Port Harcourt, after an unstabilised final approach. The jet, which had departed Lagos with 103 people on board, touched down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold and came to a stop 209 metres into the clearway. All passengers and crew disembarked safely, with no injuries reported.
Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, said:
“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 since issued immediate safety recommendations to Air Peace, urging the airline to reinforce crew resource management (CRM) training, improve go-around decision-making protocols, and tighten internal monitoring of crew fitness-for-duty before flight dispatch. The Bureau also noted that its findings remain preliminary and subject to further analysis before the final report is released.
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Air Peace Reacts
In a swift response, Air Peace faulted media reports linking its crew to drug and alcohol use, stressing it had not received any official communication from the NSIB on the matter.
The airline, in a statement, insisted it maintains a zero-tolerance policy on drug use and operates stricter alcohol restrictions than aviation regulations require.
“As a responsible airline, we place utmost priority on safety, transparency, and compliance,” the management said. “We have a very strict alcohol use policy stricter than the regulation’s eight-hour limit. Drug use is a NO-NO!”
The airline confirmed that the captain of the incident flight had been grounded—not for alcohol use—but for failing to follow CRM principles and for ignoring his co-pilot’s call for a go-around. The co-pilot, described as having acted professionally, has since been reinstated with the approval of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
“Had the First Officer been involved in alcohol or drug use, the NCAA would not have cleared him for flying duties,” Air Peace added.
The airline, however, admitted that if the NSIB’s claims are later confirmed, it would further increase the frequency of crew alcohol and drug testing.
Reassuring passengers, the carrier stated: “Air Peace has consistently maintained a strong safety record and strictly implements global best practices. Safety will never be compromised.”
