Travel
Air Peace, NSIB Clash Over Crew Alcohol and Drug Test Results
…Preliminary report says pilots, cabin crew tested positive; airline disputes findings, cites lack of official communication.
A disagreement has emerged between Nigerian carrier Air Peace and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) following the release of a preliminary report on the airline’s runway excursion in Port Harcourt on July 13.
The NSIB report, released Friday, stated that toxicology screening conducted after the incident showed the captain and first officer tested positive for alcohol, while a cabin crew member tested positive for cannabis. The bureau said these findings suggested that human performance was a factor in the aircraft’s unstable landing, which resulted in the jet stopping more than 200 metres into the overrun area.
All 103 passengers and crew disembarked safely, and no injuries were reported.
Air Peace, however, said it had not received official communication from the NSIB about the results, more than a month after the incident. The airline explained that the captain of the affected flight had already been relieved of duty for procedural reasons, not for alcohol use, while the first officer was cleared and reinstated to active duty by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The airline stressed that it conducts frequent drug and alcohol testing on crew and operates a strict no-alcohol policy that exceeds regulatory requirements.
Meanwhile, both the first officer and the cabin crew member publicly denied using alcohol or drugs. They questioned the testing process and delays in communicating results.
Responding, NSIB Director General Capt. Alex Badeh Jr said the bureau does not conduct tests directly, explaining that the toxicology samples were processed by the Rivers State Hospital Management Board. He maintained that publishing preliminary reports is a standard procedure and denied allegations of bias.
The NSIB noted that its investigation is ongoing and further findings will be released in a final report.
Air Peace operates domestic and international flights across Africa and to destinations including London, Jeddah, and Accra.
Follow BONA NAIJA for more