The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has published a preliminary report concerning its investigation into a significant incident involving a Boeing 737-524, registered as 5N-BQQ, operated by Air Peace Limited.
According to the NSIB, toxicological tests revealed that some flight crew members tested positive for substances, including traces of alcohol consumption.
The report also noted that a cabin crew member tested positive for THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis.
These findings are currently under scrutiny as part of the investigation’s focus on human performance and safety management protocols.
Mrs. Bimbo Olawunmi Oladeji, NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, stated that the incident took place on July 13, 2025, at Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo International Airport in Omagwa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The aircraft, a scheduled domestic flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt carrying 103 passengers and crew, experienced an unstabilized approach and landed 2,264 meters beyond the Runway 21 threshold, stopping 209 meters into the clearway.
The statement reads: “All passengers and crew disembarked safely, and no injuries were reported.
“The NSIB has issued immediate safety recommendations for Air Peace Limited to strengthen crew resource management (CRM) training, particularly in handling unstabilized approaches and go-around decisions, and to reinforce internal procedures for crew fitness-for-duty monitoring before flight dispatch.
“The full preliminary report, including detailed findings, is available for download on the NSIB website.
“The report represents early findings and is subject to further analysis. The final report will present detailed conclusions and additional recommendations to enhance aviation safety in Nigeria.”
In response, Air Peace Limited stated that it has not yet received official communication from the NSIB regarding the report.
The airline’s management issued a statement: “Our attention has been drawn to media stories on a purported preliminary report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) currently circulating online and in the media, regarding the incident involving one of our aircraft at Port Harcourt on July 13, 2025.
“We are yet to receive any official communications from the NSIB on such findings over a month after the incident, and after the testing of the crew for alcohol, which took place in less than an hour of the incident!
“As a responsible airline, we place utmost priority on safety, transparency, and compliance, and it is important to set the record straight.”
Air Peace emphasized its rigorous policies on crew sobriety, stating: “We have a very strict alcohol use policy that is stricter than the 8 hours before the flight as provided in the regulations. Drug use is a NO-NO!
“Following the incident, we took immediate and decisive action:
“The captain of the affected flight was grounded and relieved from further flight duty to date for failure to adhere to Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles and for disregarding standard go-around procedures as advised by his co-pilot, but not for testing positive to the breathalyser test, as the result was not communicated to us by NSIB to date.
“Contrary to reports in the media, the First Officer (Co-pilot), who demonstrated professionalism in calling for a go-around to his captain, has been reinstated into active flying duties, with full approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The NCAA cleared him. If he were involved in drug or alcohol use, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority would not have cleared him to resume flight duties.
“However, if the relieved captain tested positive on the breathalyser test, then we must increase the frequency of our alcohol and drug tests on our crew.
“Again, the importance of Enhanced Crew Resource Management Training cannot be overemphasized.
“We will intensify strict Fitness-for-Duty checks and Stronger Internal Monitoring to prevent any breach of our zero-tolerance safety policy.
“Air Peace has consistently maintained a strong safety record and strictly implements global best practices in all aspects of its operations, and we reassure our esteemed passengers and the Nigerian public that safety will never be compromised in Air Peace.”
