Port Harcourt: A pilot and a crew member operating a commercial flight in Nigeria have tested positive for alcohol and cannabis, respectively, following an incident in which the aircraft veered off the runway at Port Harcourt International Airport.
According to Nam News Network, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) conducted screenings of the pilot and co-pilot after the July incident, revealing positive alcohol test results for both. Additionally, a cabin crew member was found to have THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, in their system. Despite the runway mishap, all 103 passengers aboard the Boeing 737 were unharmed.
Air Peace, the airline involved, stated it had not received any toxicology results from the NSIB. “We are yet to receive any official communication from the NSIB on such findings, more than 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 airline noted.
The pilot reportedly has over 18,000 hours of flying experience, while the co-pilot, aged 28, has accumulated nearly 1,200 hours. The NSIB’s investigations are ongoing, and the bureau has suggested enhanced training and stronger internal procedures to prevent future incidents.
While Nigeria has not experienced plane crashes in recent years, incidents of aircraft overshooting runways and tyre bursts during landing have occurred. In response to safety concerns, aviation authorities recently unveiled a new flight data center intended to bolster aircraft safety. However, industry stakeholders emphasize the need for additional protective measures and technological advancements in the sector.