The management of Air Peace has responded to the preliminary report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) on the incident involving one of its aircraft at the Port Harcourt on July 13, 2025.
The bureau had stated in the report of its ongoing investigation into the serious incident involving a Boeing 737-524 aircraft, marked 5N-BQQ and operated by the airline that the results of the toxicological tests on the flight and cabin crews following the incident showed evidence of alcohol and cannabis consumption.
“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 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component in cannabis. These results are being reviewed under the human performance and safety management components of the investigation,” the bureau said.
In its reaction, the airline said in a release on Friday that it was yet to receive official communication from the bureau on such findings, more than a month after the incident.
It stated that as a responsible airline, it conducts frequent alcohol and drug tests on its crew.
“We have a very strict alcohol use policy that is stricter than the 8 hours before the flight as provided in the regulations. Drug use is a NO-NO!” it stated.
The airline further said the captain of the affected flight was grounded and relieved from further flight duty till date for failure to adhere to crew resource management (CRM) principles and for disregarding standard go-around procedures as advised by his co-pilot.
It clarified that the pilot was not suspended for testing positive to breathalyser test “as the result was not communicated to us by NSIB to date.”
In addition, the carrier said the first officer (co-pilot), who demonstrated professionalism in calling for a go-around to his captain, had been reinstated into active flying duties, with full approval from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to media stories on a purported preliminary report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) currently circulating online and in the media regarding the incident involving one of our aircraft at Port Harcourt on July 13, 2025.
“We are yet to receive any official communications from the NSIB on such findings over a month after the incident and after the testing of the crew for alcohol which took place in less than an hour of the incident!
“As a responsible airline, we place utmost priority on safety, transparency, and compliance, and it is important to set the record straight.
“Air Peace conducts frequent alcohol and drug tests on our crew. We have a very strict alcohol use policy that is stricter than the 8 hours before the flight as provided in the regulations. Drug use is a NO-NO!
“Following the incident, we took immediate and decisive action: The captain of the affected flight was grounded and relieved from further flight duty till date for failure to adhere to crew resource management (CRM) principles and for disregarding standard go-around procedures as advised by his co-pilot but not for testing positive to breathalyser test as the result was not communicated to us by NSIB to date.
“Contrary to reports in the media, the first officer (co-pilot), who demonstrated professionalism in calling for a go-around to his captain, has been reinstated into active flying duties, with full approval from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The NCAA cleared him. If he was involved in drug or alcohol use, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority would not have cleared him to resume flight duties.
“However, if the relieved captain tested positive to the breathalyser test, then we must increase the frequency of our alcohol and drug tests on our crew.
“Again, the importance of Enhanced Crew Resource Management Training cannot be over emphasized.
“We will intensify strict fitness-for-duty checks and stronger internal monitoring to prevent any breach of our zero-tolerance safety policy.
“Air Peace has consistently maintained a strong safety record and strictly implements global best practices in all aspects of its operations, and we reassure our esteemed passengers and the Nigerian public that safety will never be compromised in Air Peace.”
