NSIB: Air Peace Crew Tested Positive for Substances

NSIB: Air Peace Crew Tested Positive for Substances

By Abiola Adigun

The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has revealed that members of the cabin crew on board an Air Peace flight that skidded off the runway at the Port Harcourt International Airport tested positive for alcohol and cannabis consumption.
In a preliminary report released on Thursday, the agency said the serious incident occurred on July 13, 2025, when an Air Peace Boeing 737-524 aircraft, with registration number 5N-BQQ, arriving from Lagos, made an unstabilised final approach to runway 21.
According to the findings, the aircraft, carrying 103 passengers and crew, landed long — touching down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold — before overrunning and stopping 209 metres into the clearway. All passengers and crew disembarked safely without injuries.
However, initial toxicological tests showed that some flight crew members had consumed alcohol before the flight, while a cabin crew member tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in cannabis. The NSIB noted that the results are being reviewed under the human performance and safety management aspects of the investigation.
Bimbo Oladeji, Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at the NSIB, said the bureau has issued interim safety recommendations to Air Peace. These include strengthening crew resource management (CRM) training on handling unstabilised approaches and go-around decisions, as well as tightening internal procedures for monitoring crew fitness-for-duty before flight operations.
The final investigation report, NSIB added, will provide further conclusions and additional safety measures.
The incident raises serious concerns about crew discipline and safety oversight in Nigeria’s aviation sector, particularly as the country continues to expand its local and international flight operations. Aviation experts warn that lapses in crew fitness-for-duty not only endanger lives but also threaten public confidence in the safety standards of Nigerian airlines.
Industry stakeholders say the development could trigger stricter regulatory scrutiny of airline operations, increased random drug and alcohol testing for flight personnel, and tougher penalties for non-compliance. Such measures are considered crucial for Nigeria’s bid to maintain international safety ratings and boost investor and passenger confidence in its aviation industry.