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 nationality and registration marks 5N-BQQ, operated by Air Peace Limited.
The preliminary report indicated that cockpit and cabin crew members may have taken illicit substances, including alcohol and cannabis.
In the press statement issued by the agency and signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Bimbo Olawunmi Oladeji, NSIB said initial toxicological tests conducted on the flight crew revealed positive results for certain substances, including indicators of alcohol consumption.
The report said a cabin crew member also tested positive for THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis.
“These results are being reviewed under the human performance and safety management components of the investigation. The NSIB has issued immediate safety recommendations for Air Peace Limited to strengthen crew resource management (CRM) training, particularly in handling unstabilised approaches and go-around decisions, and to reinforce internal procedures for crew fitness-for-duty monitoring before flight dispatch.
The aircraft, operated as a scheduled domestic flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt with 103 persons on board, the NSIB official said , landed long on Runway 21 after an unstabilised final approach.
The aircraft touched down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold and came to 209 metres into the clearway.
The statement said, ” All passengers and crew 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 human performance and safety management components of the investigation. The NSIB has issued immediate safety recommendations for Air Peace Limited to strengthen crew resource management (CRM) training, particularly in handling unstabilised 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.”
The aircraft departed Lagos with 96 passengers and seven crew members on board. Conditions in Port Harcourt were good, with clear skies, calm weather and daylight visibility. Investigators explained that the aircraft was stable on approach until it got close to landing. At 1,000 feet above the ground the situation appeared normal, and the captain disconnected the autopilot at 500 feet to complete the landing manually. Shortly after, the aircraft drifted above the normal landing path.
