The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has revealed that the crew members of an Air Peace Boeing 737-524 aircraft tested positive for alcohol and cannabis after a July 13, 2025, incident at the Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo International Airport in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The aircraft, which was operating a scheduled domestic flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt with 103 persons on board, landed long on Runway 21 after an unstabilised final approach. Fortunately, all passengers and crew disembarked safely without injuries.
According to the NSIB Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, 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 and reinforce internal procedures for crew fitness-for-duty monitoring before flight dispatch.
The incident has raised significant safety concerns, with the NSIB emphasizing the importance of discipline and professionalism in aviation.
The investigation highlighted an imbalance in cockpit authority, where the captain’s experience and age may have influenced the first officer’s decision to suggest a go-around.
The NSIB’s preliminary report is available on their website, with the final report expected to provide detailed conclusions and additional safety recommendations.
