September 12, 2025 – Time Africa Magazine
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released details of the incident involving an Air Peace Boeing 737-500 that overshot the runway at Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025.
What was meant to be a routine Lagos–Port Harcourt flight turned into a serious safety concern after investigators confirmed that both pilots had consumed alcohol before departure. The aircraft carried 96 passengers and seven crew members. Weather conditions were good, and the approach appeared stable until the captain disconnected autopilot at 500 feet and attempted to land manually.
The plane crossed the runway threshold at about 200 feet—much higher than recommended. The young first officer, with fewer than 900 flying hours, advised a go-around, but the 64-year-old captain with over 10,000 hours chose to continue. The aircraft landed almost three-quarters down the 3,000-metre runway and overshot into the grass. Fortunately, no injuries were recorded, and passengers disembarked safely.
Toxicology tests later revealed that both pilots tested positive for alcohol, while a flight attendant tested positive for cannabis. Investigators raised concerns about cockpit authority imbalance, where the junior officer’s warning could not override the senior captain’s decision.
The Bureau urged Air Peace to enforce stricter pre-flight fitness checks and reinforce go-around training, stressing that no pilot should hesitate to abandon an unstable approach.
The incident has been described as a wake-up call for Nigeria’s aviation sector. While lives were spared, experts warn that runway overruns remain one of the most serious risks in aviation—made worse by alcohol or drug use. Regulators have reaffirmed their commitment to safety, insisting that there can be no compromise in aviation discipline.
Source: Time Africa Magazine
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