The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released its findings on the July 13 incident involving an Air Peace Boeing 737-500 that overran the runway at Port Harcourt International Airport, revealing that both pilots tested positive for alcohol after the event.
The flight, which left Lagos with 96 passengers and seven crew members, landed almost three-quarters of the way down the 3,000-metre runway, making it impossible to stop safely. The aircraft eventually halted on the grass verge, and all passengers disembarked unharmed.
Investigators disclosed that in addition to the pilots’ test results, one flight attendant also tested positive for cannabis, raising serious concerns about discipline, professionalism, and safety culture within the airline.
The report highlighted a cockpit authority gap: while the younger first officer recommended a go-around as the aircraft crossed the runway threshold too high, the captain, a 64-year-old with more than 10,000 flight hours — overruled him and pressed ahead with the landing. Safety experts warn that such dynamics can undermine critical decision-making in emergencies.
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The NSIB has directed Air Peace to tighten crew fitness checks and reinforce training on go-around procedures, stressing that abandoning an unstable approach is a fundamental safeguard.
Though no injuries were recorded, the Bureau underscored that the incident is a stark reminder that alcohol, drugs, and aviation safety are incompatible.
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