The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, has released the preliminary report on its ongoing investigation into the serious incident involving a Boeing 737-524 aircraft, with national registration marks 5N-BQQ, operated by Air Peace Limited.
This was contained in a press statement issued by Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB.
The statement reads, “The incident occurred on 13 July 2025 at Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo International Airport, Port Harcourt, Rivers State Southern Nigeria. The aircraft, operating as a scheduled domestic flight from Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria, to Port Harcourt with 103 persons on board, landed long on Runway 21 after an unstable final approach.
“The aircraft touched down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold and finally stopped 209 metres into the clearway. All passengers and crew members were disembarked safely, and no injuries were reported.”
“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 investigation’s human performance and safety management components.”
The NSIB has issued immediate safety recommendations for Air Peace Limited to strengthen crew resource management (CRM) training, particularly in handling unstable approaches and go-around decisions, and to reinforce internal procedures for crew fitness-for-duty monitoring before flight dispatch.
The full preliminary report, including detailed findings, is available for download on the NSIB website. The report represents early findings and is subject to further analysis. The final report will present detailed conclusions and additional recommendations to enhance aviation safety in Nigeria.
Similarly, in a Press Statement by Air Peace’s response to the NSIB preliminary report.
“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”
The captain of the affected flight was grounded and relieved from further flight duty to date due to failure to adhere to Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles and for disregarding standard go-around procedures as advised by his co-pilot, but no result was 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 Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA. The NCAA cleared him. If he was involved in drug or alcohol use, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority would not have cleared him to resume flight duties.