Nigerian accident investigators have confirmed that two Air Peace pilots tested positive for alcohol and cannabis following a runway excursion involving one of the airline’s Boeing 737 jets in Port Harcourt in July.
In a preliminary report released on Friday, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) said toxicology tests confirmed the presence of intoxicants in both the captain and first officer who operated the aircraft, which had 103 people on board. A cabin crew member also tested positive for cannabis.
The domestic flight from Lagos landed long on Runway 21 at Port Harcourt International Airport after what investigators described as an unstabilised final approach. The aircraft touched down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold and came to a stop more than 200 metres into the overrun area. All passengers and crew disembarked safely with no injuries reported.
According to the NSIB, “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. These results are being reviewed under the human performance and safety management components of the investigation.”
It added, “Toxicological screening conducted post-incident revealed that Captain and first officer tested positive for Ethyl Glucuronide, indicating recent alcohol consumption.”
Runway excursions are among the most common safety risks in commercial aviation, often linked to poor visibility, pilot error, or technical faults. The bureau said the toxicology findings suggested that human performance was a critical factor in this incident.
As part of its safety recommendations, the NSIB urged Air Peace to strengthen crew resource management training and tighten fitness checks for pilots before dispatch.
Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest airline, operates domestic and international routes, including services to London, Saudi Arabia, Dakar, Freetown, Monrovia, and Ghana. The airline has not yet commented on the bureau’s report.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regards intoxication by flight crew as a serious breach of global aviation safety standards. Similar cases have surfaced worldwide in recent years, highlighting the risks such behaviour poses to passengers and aviation safety.
The NSIB confirmed that its investigation into the incident is ongoing.
