A pilot and co-pilot of a Boeing 737 have tested positive for alcohol after their aircraft veered off the runway during landing at Port Harcourt International Airport in Nigeria in July. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) conducted screenings following the incident, which involved 103 passengers on board, all of whom were unharmed. Additionally, a cabin crew member tested positive for THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis.
Air Peace, the airline operating the flight, reported that the 64-year-old pilot has been dismissed for not adhering to safety regulations, while the co-pilot has been reinstated after being acquitted by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) based on preliminary investigations and subsequent testing results. The NSIB’s findings indicated that both the pilot and co-pilot had tested positive for Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG), a marker for recent alcohol consumption.
Air Peace stated that it has not yet received formal toxicology results from the NSIB, expressing concern over the delay, as the tests occurred within an hour after the incident. The pilot had accumulated over 18,000 flying hours, while the co-pilot, aged 28, had nearly 1,200 hours.
The NSIB has indicated that its investigation is ongoing and has recommended enhanced training and reinforcement of internal procedures within the airline. Although Nigeria has not experienced any fatal plane crashes in recent years, incidents involving aircraft overshooting runways and tire failures during landing have occurred.
In response to safety concerns, aviation authorities recently launched a new flight data center aimed at improving aircraft safety, which highlights the ongoing need for additional protective measures and technology advancements in the industry.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gq7dkx6zko?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss