The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has released details of the runway incident involving an Air Peace Boeing 737-500 which overshot the runway at Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025.
What was meant to be a routine flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt turned into a serious safety concern after investigators discovered that both pilots had consumed alcohol before the flight.
The aircraft departed Lagos with 96 passengers and seven crew members on board. Conditions in Port Harcourt were good, with clear skies, calm weather and daylight visibility. Investigators explained that the aircraft was stable on approach until it got close to landing. At 1,000 feet above the ground the situation appeared normal, and the captain disconnected the autopilot at 500 feet to complete the landing manually. Shortly after, the aircraft drifted above the normal landing path.
The captain later admitted that by the time he realised, the aircraft was already too high. It crossed the runway threshold at about 200 feet, which is much higher than the recommended landing height. The first officer, who was younger and had less than 900 hours of flying experience, told the captain to go around and attempt another landing. This is a standard safety procedure, but the captain, an older and highly experienced pilot with over 10,000 hours on the Boeing 737, decided to continue.
The decision proved costly. The aircraft touched down almost three quarters of the way down the 3,000 metre runway, leaving very little space to slow down. It rolled for almost another kilometre before overshooting the runway and stopping on the grass. Thankfully there were no injuries, and passengers disembarked safely.
After the incident, the crew underwent toxicology tests. Investigators confirmed that both pilots tested positive for alcohol. Even more worrying, one of the flight attendants tested positive for cannabis. This discovery has raised serious concerns about discipline, professionalism and safety culture.
The investigation also highlighted the authority gap in the cockpit. With a 64 year old captain commanding a young first officer, the balance of power was steep. This made it difficult for the younger pilot’s warning to influence the final decision. In aviation, such imbalances are dangerous because they can prevent the right call from being made when safety is at stake.
The Safety Bureau has advised Air Peace to strengthen its internal checks to ensure all crew members are fit for duty before flights. It also urged the airline to reinforce training on go around procedures, stressing that no pilot should hesitate to abandon a poor approach and try again.
This incident has become a wake up call. While no lives were lost, it could have ended differently. Runway overruns are one of the most serious risks in aviation, and when alcohol or drugs are involved, the danger multiplies. Nigeria’s aviation regulators have shown that they are actively monitoring and investigating, but the message is clear: flying requires absolute discipline and there can be no compromise when it comes to safety.