The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, had said that there is no evidence against Air Peace co-pilot David Bernard in the recent Port Harcourt airport runway excursion incident.
This was because the NCAA said that its internal investigation and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) report did not indict him.
Recalls that on July 13, 2025, an Air Peace aircraft veered off the runway while landing at the Port Harcourt International Airport.
In its preliminary investigation, the NSIB revealed that the aircraft touched down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold, well beyond the recommended touchdown zone, and eventually came to a stop at 209 metres into the clearway.
The Bureau, after preliminary investigation stated that its initial toxicological tests conducted on the flight crew revealed positive results for certain substances, including indicators of alcohol consumption.
It added that A cabin crew member also tested positive for THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis.
Although the airline staff and crew had denied the test result, the NCAA, during an X space, said it adhered to due process based on the available facts and internal investigations.
This was disclosed by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu.
“I learnt yesterday that the NCAA was being blamed for giving clearance to the first officer. But based on the NCAA internal findings and the NSIB preliminary report, the co-pilot was not found culpable.
“In fact, he advised the captain to go around, which the captain did not heed. Given that, we believe it is unjust to keep someone grounded for a year while an investigation is ongoing if there is no evidence of wrongdoing.
“I have reached out to the NSIB and spoken to their team, but I’m still waiting for comprehensive feedback,” he said.
