Air Peace pilots test positive for alcohol and drugs, NSIB reveals in preliminary report

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has disclosed that toxicology tests found an Air Peace pilot and co-pilot with traces of alcohol and cannabis after their aircraft was involved in a runway incursion at Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025. All 103 passengers aboard the flight from Lagos disembarked unharmed.

In its initial findings, the NSIB stated that the crew flying the Lagos-to-Port Harcourt service showed evidence of prohibited substances in their systems. Following the runway incident, where the plane landed beyond the designated touchdown zone and stopped 209 metres into the clearway, the bureau carried out exhaustive toxicological screening on the flight team.

The pilot tested positive for alcohol, while the co-pilot’s results indicated the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive element of cannabis commonly referred to as “India hemp”.
The report detailed that the plane approached the runway in an unstabilised manner, touching down 2,264 metres from the threshold of Runway 21, an area far beyond the standard touchdown zone. Despite the irregular landing, there was no damage to the aircraft, and all passengers and staff exited safely.

NSIB emphasized that these toxicology outcomes are being carefully reviewed as part of their safety oversight process, focusing on human factors and operational compliance critical to aviation incident inquiries.

Authorities are expected to issue final recommendations following the completion of the full investigation.