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The NSIB report on the Air Peace 5N-BQQ incident at Port Harcourt has raised urgent safety concerns over crew fitness and human performance. Initial toxicological tests revealed traces of alcohol in the flight crew, while a cabin crew member tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of cannabis.
According to the NSIB report, the incident occurred on 13 July 2025 at the Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo International Airport, Port Harcourt.
The Boeing 737-524, operating a scheduled Lagos–Port Harcourt flight, landed long on Runway 21 after an unstabilised final approach. The aircraft touched down 2,264 metres from the threshold and stopped 209 metres into the clearway.
All 103 persons on board disembarked safely, but the toxicological findings have shifted the focus of the investigation to human performance and safety management.
Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, explained that the toxicology results highlight the need for strict compliance with crew readiness standards. She confirmed that the results are still under detailed review as part of the broader investigation
In its immediate safety recommendations, the bureau directed Air Peace Limited to:
*Strengthen crew resource management (CRM) training with emphasis on unstabilised approaches and go-around decisions.
*Reinforce internal policies on crew fitness-for-duty checks before dispatch, ensuring no impaired personnel operate flights.
The NSIB report underlines that impairment, whether from alcohol or psychoactive substances, poses a direct threat to aviation safety.
Human factors remain one of the leading causes of serious incidents worldwide, making these findings a timely reminder for Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The bureau emphasised that the preliminary report reflects early findings and is subject to further analysis. A final NSIB report will provide detailed conclusions and additional recommendations to strengthen safety standards across the industry.
The full NSIB report is available on the bureau’s website.
For more information on global aviation safety frameworks, visit the ICAO safety management page.
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