Air Peace Crew Rejects NSIB Report Claiming Positive Alcohol and Marijuana Tests After Port Harcourt Runway Incident
In a heated dispute shaking Nigeria’s aviation sector, co-pilot David Bernard and cabin crew member Maduneme Victory have strongly rejected a preliminary report from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB). The report alleged they tested positive for alcohol and marijuana following a serious runway incursion involving an Air Peace aircraft at Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025. The crew members, speaking out on national television, described the findings as “false and damaging” to their reputations and careers. They insist the tests were flawed and accuse the NSIB of a possible smear campaign against the airline. Air Peace has also backed its staff, stating it has not received official communication from the bureau and plans to intensify drug testing if needed. This controversy comes amid growing concerns over aviation safety in Nigeria, where runway incidents have raised red flags about protocols and accountability.
The incident, which involved a Boeing 737 with 103 passengers on board, saw the plane veer off the runway after a long landing, stopping 209 meters into the clearway. No one was injured, but the event prompted an immediate investigation. The NSIB’s report, released on September 12, 2025, has now ignited a public backlash, with the crew threatening legal action if the allegations are not retracted.
The Runway Incursion: What Happened on July 13?
The drama unfolded on a routine domestic flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt. Air Peace flight 5N-BQQ, a Boeing 737-300, was approaching Runway 21 at the Port Harcourt International Airport under clear weather conditions. According to the NSIB’s preliminary findings, the aircraft experienced an “unstabilised final approach,” leading to a touchdown 2,264 meters from the runway threshold—far beyond the recommended zone. The plane then veered off the runway, scraping through grass and mud before halting safely. All 103 passengers and crew disembarked without injuries, but the aircraft sustained minor damage to its landing gear and undercarriage.
Eyewitnesses and airport officials reported hearing a loud scrape as the plane skidded. The captain and co-pilot, including David Bernard, were in the cockpit at the time. Initial probes pointed to possible pilot error, such as ignoring a go-around call from the co-pilot, as well as factors like runway conditions or miscommunication with air traffic control. Runway incursions in Nigeria are often linked to issues like poor infrastructure, human error, or equipment faults, and this case fits a pattern seen in recent aviation mishaps.
The NSIB launched an immediate investigation, sealing the site and collecting evidence, including flight data recorders. Toxicology tests were conducted on the crew as part of standard protocol for such incidents. The report, signed by NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Bimbo Oladeji, was made public on September 12, over two months after the event.
NSIB’s Allegations: Positive Tests for Alcohol and THC
The NSIB’s preliminary report dropped a bombshell: toxicology screenings on the flight crew revealed the presence of prohibited substances. Specifically, the captain and first officer (co-pilot David Bernard) tested positive for Ethyl Glucuronide, a biomarker indicating recent alcohol consumption. Cabin crew member Maduneme Victory was found positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana.
The tests were carried out on July 13, 2025, at the Rivers State Hospital Management Board’s Department of Medical Laboratory in Port Harcourt, shortly after the incident. NSIB emphasized that these results were part of a broader analysis, including flight data and witness statements. The bureau recommended that Air Peace strengthen crew resource management training, particularly for unstabilised approaches and go-around decisions, and improve fitness-for-duty monitoring.
NSIB spokesperson Bimbo Oladeji defended the report, stating it was not the first such preliminary finding and denying any smear campaign. “NSIB does not conduct tests,” she clarified, noting the agency relies on accredited labs. The bureau urged airlines to take immediate safety steps, highlighting that illicit substances could impair judgment during critical operations like landings.
This isn’t the first time NSIB has flagged substance issues in aviation probes. Similar findings have appeared in past reports, leading to suspensions and retraining. However, the delay in releasing results—10 days for some tests—has fueled skepticism about the process’s integrity.
Crew’s Firm Rejection: “We Don’t Drink or Smoke”
David Bernard and Maduneme Victory wasted no time in pushing back. In separate interviews on Arise Television on September 12, they vehemently denied the allegations, calling the report “false,” “defamatory,” and a potential “smear campaign” against Air Peace.
Co-pilot Bernard, who has invested heavily in his aviation career, insisted he abstains from alcohol and drugs entirely. “I don’t drink and secondly, we are in 2025—if you are trying to do an alcohol and blood test, we have something called the breathalyser, where you have to do your test right there,” he said. He questioned the validity of blood and urine samples taken on July 13, with results allegedly returned on July 23—10 days later. Bernard argued that aviation standards require immediate breathalyser tests for alcohol, not delayed lab work, and claimed the facility used was not aviation-recognized. He emphasized that after paying for expensive flying school, such accusations could ruin lives without evidence.
Maduneme Victory echoed this, describing the claims as “pure defamation of character.” She recounted waiting for NSIB investigators post-incident, who collected her samples on July 13 but delayed results. Victory noted she continued flying for weeks without issue, questioning why NSIB didn’t ground her immediately if the results were positive. She underwent a confirmatory test at an accredited aerospace clinic, which came back negative, and submitted it to authorities. “If truly marijuana was in my system, NSIB should have stopped me from flying immediately,” she said, adding that the airline’s chairman intervened to protect her job.
Both threatened lawsuits. Victory issued a 72-hour ultimatum for NSIB to retract the claims or face court. Bernard called it unfair to damage reputations without due process.
Air Peace’s Response: No Official Communication, Captain Suspended for Other Reasons
Air Peace Limited swiftly distanced itself from the NSIB report, stating it had not received any official findings from the bureau despite over a month passing since the incident. In a statement, the airline clarified that the captain was suspended indefinitely—not for substance use, but for “lack of professionalism” and ignoring a go-around call from the co-pilot. An initial alcohol test on the crew was negative within an hour of the event, per Air Peace.
The airline committed to enhancing safety, including more frequent drug and alcohol screenings if NSIB confirms positives. It also urged the bureau to communicate findings properly to avoid reputational harm. Air Peace emphasized its commitment to high standards and crew welfare.
Broader Implications: Aviation Safety and Credibility Concerns in Nigeria
This clash raises serious questions about aviation oversight in Nigeria. The NSIB’s report is preliminary, but its public release without prior notification to the airline has been criticized as unprofessional. Delays in test results and the use of non-specialized labs could undermine trust in investigations. Aviation experts note that breathalysers are standard for immediate alcohol detection, and chain-of-custody issues in sample handling might explain discrepancies.
Nigeria’s aviation sector has faced scrutiny, with recent incidents like runway excursions and near-misses prompting calls for better training and infrastructure. The NCAA, which oversees licensing, reportedly cleared Bernard in a follow-up test. If lawsuits proceed, they could expose procedural flaws and set precedents for handling such reports.
Public reaction on social media has been swift, with many supporting the crew and questioning NSIB’s motives. Hashtags like #JusticeForAirPeaceCrew are trending, while others demand transparency in aviation probes.
Conclusion: A Call for Clarity and Accountability
The rejection of the NSIB report by David Bernard and Maduneme Victory has turned a runway incident into a full-blown controversy, spotlighting potential lapses in testing protocols and communication. As threats of legal action loom, all eyes are on the bureau for a response within the 72-hour window. Air Peace’s support for its crew underscores the human cost of unverified claims in high-stakes industries like aviation. For now, the focus remains on ensuring safety improvements without damaging reputations. Nigerians await a resolution that prioritizes facts over finger-pointing, as the full investigation continues.