The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has revealed alarming findings in its preliminary report on the runway excursion involving an Air Peace Boeing 737-500 at Port Harcourt International Airport on 13 July 2025. According to the report, toxicological tests conducted after the incident confirmed recent alcohol consumption by both the captain and the first officer. Additionally, a cabin crew member tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component in cannabis.
The flight in question was operating a regular domestic service from Lagos to Port Harcourt, carrying 103 persons—passengers and crew combined. Eyewitness and data evidence in the NSIB report suggest the aircraft was on an unstablised final approach before landing. The plane touched down approximately 2,264 metres from the runway threshold on Runway 21, leaving just under 800 metres of runway remaining, and rolled for about 945 metres. It overran by over 200 metres into the clearway and came to rest on the grass beyond. Fortunately, all on board disembarked safely; no injuries were reported.
Weather conditions were benign, with good visibility and calm winds reported at the time of landing, which suggests that environmental factors were not contributing to the instability of the approach. The report indicates that the approach drifted above the glideslope, with the autopilot disengaged at around 500 feet, and that the aircraft crossed the threshold at approximately 200 feet above the required height. The first officer reportedly called for a go‐around, but the captain decided to continue with the landing.
In its evaluation of human performance factors, NSIB highlighted the presence of ethyl glucuronide in the system of both pilots, a chemical marker indicating recent alcohol consumption. The captain and first officer’s alcohol tests were positive, and the cabin crew member’s test was positive for THC. These findings raise serious safety concerns, especially because flight operations demand high alertness, clear decision‐making, and strict adherence to protocol.
The NSIB has issued recommendations in response to these findings. Among them are calls for Air Peace to strengthen its internal procedures related to crew fitness‐for‐duty, reinforce training on crew resource management (CRM), and instill clearer policies regarding go‐around decisions, especially during unstabilised approaches. Also emphasized is a need for more rigorous monitoring and oversight of pilot behaviour, particularly in respect to drug and alcohol policies.
Air Peace, for its part, has publicly denied the claims. In its response, the airline stated that it has not received any formal communication from NSIB confirming the results reported in media outlets. It insists that neither the captain nor other crew members tested positive for alcohol or drugs during breathalyzer screening immediately after the incident. The airline noted that the captain remains grounded for failure to adhere to standard operating procedures relating to go-around protocols, but reiterated that this is not because of confirmed positive tests.
The NSIB has clarified that the published findings are preliminary, still under review, especially in the domains of human performance and safety management. A final report is expected in due time, which will provide more detailed analysis, including any further recommendations. In the meantime, the incident stands as a serious alert for both regulators and airlines about the non‐negotiable importance of discipline, fitness for duty, and adherence to safety protocols in aviation.
