An unsettling truth has come to light regarding an incident last July. An Air Peace aircraft slid off the runway during landing. Now, investigators say both the pilot and co-pilot had alcohol in their systems. This discovery shakes the very foundation of aviation safety, even though all 103 passengers walked away unharmed.
The alarming event involved a Boeing 737 passenger plane. It veered off the landing strip. This happened as it touched down. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) looked into the matter. They tested all crew members for alcohol and drugs. The results were quite revealing.
Tests showed the 64-year-old pilot and his 28-year-old co-pilot tested positive for Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG). This substance proves alcohol was consumed before flying. Furthermore, a flight attendant also tested positive for THC. THC is the active ingredient in cannabis. These findings paint a worrying picture of impaired judgment in the cockpit.
Air Peace acted swiftly. They confirmed the immediate dismissal of the senior pilot. He broke strict aviation safety rules. His long career included over 18,000 flight hours. However, the co-pilot, with nearly 1,200 flight hours, had a different outcome. After an initial review, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) cleared him. They found he was fit to fly and showed no risky behavior patterns. He has since returned to his duties.
This incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in the region. While there haven’t been any major plane crashes in years, planes still sometimes slide off runways. Tire bursts during landing are also a recurring issue. The NSIB has now suggested important changes. They recommend more training for all crew members. They also want stronger internal checks within airlines. This should help stop similar incidents from happening again.
Source: BBC