Air Peace Saga: NCAA Clears Co-Pilot

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said there is no evidence implicating Air Peace co-pilot David Bernard in the recent runway excursion at the Port Harcourt International Airport.

According to the NCAA, both its internal investigation and the preliminary report released by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) did not indict Bernard in the July 13, 2025 incident, when an Air Peace aircraft veered off the runway after landing.

The NSIB’s initial findings showed that the aircraft touched down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold, well beyond the safe landing zone, before eventually stopping 209 metres into the clearway. The Bureau also disclosed that preliminary toxicology tests conducted on the flight crew indicated traces of alcohol, while one cabin crew member tested positive for THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis.

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Despite these results, the NCAA said Bernard’s actions during the flight were not negligent. Speaking during an X Space session, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, said the co-pilot had in fact advised the captain to abort the landing.

“I learnt yesterday that the NCAA was being blamed for giving clearance to the first officer. But based on the NCAA’s internal findings and the NSIB’s preliminary report, the co-pilot was not found culpable,” Achimugu explained.

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“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 added.