Following an investigation into a Boeing 737-524 aircraft operated by Air Peace, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has revealed that the flight crew tested positive for alcohol and cannabis.
The incident occurred on July 13, 2025, at the Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo International Airport in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to Bimbo Oladeji, the NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, “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.”
The results are being reviewed as part of the human performance and safety management aspects of the investigation.
Oladeji added that “the aircraft, operating as a scheduled domestic flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt with 103 persons on board, landed long on Runway 21 after an unstabilised final approach. The aircraft touched down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold and came to a final stop 209 metres into the clearway. All passengers and crew disembarked safely, and no injuries were reported. 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 to improve crew resource management (CRM) training, particularly concerning “unstabilised approaches and go-around decisions.” The NSIB also advised the airline to strengthen its internal procedures for monitoring crew fitness before flight dispatch.
The full preliminary report, which includes detailed findings, is available for download on the NSIB website. The report contains early findings and is subject to further analysis. The final report will provide detailed conclusions and additional recommendations to improve aviation safety in Nigeria.