The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has cleared the co-pilot involved in the June 13 runway incident at Port Harcourt International Airport, stating that neither its internal investigation nor the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau’s (NSIB) preliminary report found him guilty of any misconduct.
The incident occurred when an Air Peace aircraft veered off the runway after landing well beyond the recommended touchdown zone. Though there were no injuries or aircraft damage, the NSIB reportedly indicted the entire crew based on blood tests suggesting the presence of drugs or alcohol — a claim the airline strongly contested.
During a public discussion on X (formerly Twitter), NCAA spokesperson Michael Achimugu explained that the co-pilot had advised the captain to abort the landing, but the captain ignored the suggestion. He stressed that the decision to clear the co-pilot was based on verifiable evidence and due process.
“We believe it is unjust to keep someone grounded without proof of wrongdoing,” Achimugu said. “Our internal review and the NSIB’s own report do not show the co-pilot was culpable in any way.”
He also noted that while airlines can enforce their own internal policies, national regulations must be applied consistently and updated as needed. He emphasized that aviation rules are only as effective as their application during real-life incidents.
Aviation analyst Bamidele Badmos raised concerns about the public handling of the situation, warning that miscommunication could damage Air Peace’s international standing and jeopardize Nigeria’s bilateral air service agreements with other countries.
Achimugu acknowledged that some inconsistencies remain in the NSIB’s findings and said the NCAA is awaiting a formal response from the bureau. He added that the NCAA uses approved testing centers and follows internationally recognized procedures for post-incident assessments.
The Director General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, who recently returned to the country, is expected to address the matter in detail. The NCAA reiterated its commitment to transparency, fair regulation, and upholding global safety standards in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
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