Air Peace says the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau
(NSIB) has not communicated its findings from the investigation of the Port
Harcourt runway excursion.
The NSIB had launched a probe into the incident that
occurred on July 13, when an Air Peace plane veered off the runway after
landing at the Port Harcourt International Airport.
Air Peace’s aircraft, with registration 5N-BQQ, was flying a
scheduled Lagos–Port Harcourt service when it landed long on Runway 21.
On Thursday, NSIB revealed that an Air Peace pilot and
co-pilot tested positive for alcohol, and a cabin crew member tested positive
for a drug.
In a statement addressing media reports on NSIB’s findings
on Friday, Air Peace said it does not tolerate alcohol and drug use, adding
that it conducts frequent tests on crew members.
“To date, we have never received any official communications
from the NSIB on such findings over a month after the incident and after the
testing of the crew for alcohol which took place in less than an hour of the
incident,” the airline said.
“Air Peace conducts frequent alcohol and drug tests on our crew.
We have a very strict alcohol use policy that is stricter than the 8 hours
before the flight as provided in the regulations. Drug use is a NO-NO!”
‘CAPTAIN OF AFFECTED FLIGHT WAS IMMEDIATELY GROUNDED’
The airline also said the captain of the affected flight was
immediately grounded and relieved of flying duties—not because of an alcohol
test result, but for failing to adhere to crew resource management (CRM)
principles and disregarding his co-pilot’s advice to execute a go-around.
Air Peace said the first officer, who called for the
go-around, had been cleared by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and
reinstated to active duties.
“If he was involved in drug or alcohol use, the Nigerian
Civil Aviation Authority would not have cleared him to resume flight duties,”
Air Peace said.
“However, if the sacked captain tested positive to the
breathalyser test, then we must increase the frequency of our alcohol and drug
tests on our crew.
“Again, the importance of Enhanced Crew Resource Management
Training can not be over emphasized.”
The airline said it will step up the frequency of its crew
drug and alcohol testing, as well as strengthen internal monitoring and
fitness-for-duty checks to reinforce its zero-tolerance safety policy.
Air Peace said it has consistently maintained a strong
safety record and strictly implements global best practices in all aspects of
its operations, and reassured passengers and the public that safety will never
be compromised.
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