Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace, has clarified why the captain involved in the recent incident at the Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo International Airport, Omagwa, Port Harcourt, was grounded and barred from further flight duties.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) had earlier disclosed that preliminary toxicological tests on the crew of the Boeing 737-524 aircraft (5N-BQQ) indicated traces of alcohol in the captain’s system, while a cabin crew member tested positive for THC, the active ingredient in cannabis.
However, Air Peace, in a statement, stressed that the captain’s suspension was not linked to any toxicology result but rather his failure to comply with Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles. The airline explained that he ignored standard go-around procedures despite advice from his co-pilot, a breach that prompted immediate disciplinary action.
The airline further noted that it has “a very strict alcohol and drug policy—stricter than regulatory provisions—which includes frequent, random testing of its crew,” adding that drug use is absolutely prohibited.
Air Peace also disclosed that the co-pilot, who showed professionalism by calling for a go-around, has since been cleared by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and reinstated to active flight duties.
“If the grounded captain is eventually confirmed to have tested positive for alcohol, we will step up the frequency of our alcohol and drug screening,” the airline said, while reaffirming its zero-tolerance stance on safety violations.
Reassuring the public, the management emphasized: “Air Peace has consistently maintained a strong safety record, adheres strictly to global best practices, and will never compromise the safety of its passengers.”
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