Air Peace has rebuffed reports of one of its pilots testing positive for alcohol. The airline clarified these reports following a serious incident at Port Harcourt International Airport on 13 July 2025.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) had said toxicological tests found that the flight crew, the captain and first officer tested positive for a bioactive agent from alcohol, and the crew member also tested positive for cannibinoids and the THC agent of marijuana.
Air Peace provided the clarification via a statement on its official channel. It stated that the NSIB had not yet formally reported any findings or outcomes associated with substance screening testing to the airline. It maintained that it had not received any of the NSIB’s communications that concluded alcohol or drug usage by its crew was suspected or confirmed in that instance.
Air Peace clarified that the issue was that the Captain was grounded, and removed from service for failure to act upon proper Crew Resource Management procedures: specifically, it was alleged that the captain failed to follow the first officer’s approach advice. The first officer requested a go around. The first officer has thus been cleared to resume flying privileges with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
Air Peace claimed to have a strict policy on drug use, as well as a stronger policy on alcohol limits than regulatory caps, and that drug use is completely prohibited under its rules. It also stated that drug and alcohol tests are performed on a regular basis, rather than in response to an incident.
All 103 passengers and crew left the aircraft unaffected, with no injuries. The aircraft landed long on the runway, touching down 2,264 metres from the threshold before coming to a halt 209 metres into the clearway.
The airline stated that it is committed to strict safety standards. It also pledged to strengthen internal oversight, conduct fitness for duty reviews, and provide Crew Resource Management training.
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