Senate Probes Air Peace Runway Incident, Raises Pilot Drug Concerns

The Senate has commenced a full-scale investigation into the recent Air Peace runway overrun at the Port Harcourt International Airport, amid concerns over aviation safety lapses and reports of substance abuse among flight personnel.

The decision followed a motion sponsored by Sen. Buhari Abdulfatai (APC–Oyo) during plenary on Wednesday, citing findings from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) report on the June 22 incident involving an Air Peace Boeing 737-500 aircraft.

Abdulfatai noted that although no lives were lost, the NSIB report revealed critical safety gaps, including poor runway conditions, inadequate airfield lighting, and weak regulatory oversight.

“Nigeria has in recent years witnessed an increase in runway-related incidents and near-misses that could undermine public confidence and endanger lives if not urgently addressed,” he said.

Senate Orders Immediate Safety Action

Following deliberations, the upper chamber directed the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to urgently implement the NSIB’s safety recommendations.

Lawmakers also urged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to strengthen compliance monitoring, conduct regular audits of airports, and enforce strict adherence to international aviation standards.

FAAN was further directed to rehabilitate runways, improve airfield lighting, and install modern navigational aids nationwide — starting with Port Harcourt International Airport.

‘Substance Abuse Among Pilots a Deadly Threat’ — Kalu

During debate on the motion, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu (APC–Abia) raised alarm over alleged drug use and poor supervision among pilots, describing it as a “deadly and growing threat” to aviation safety.

“On several occasions, I have refused to fly because some pilots were clearly unprepared. Some rely on external help, while others even engage in substance use before flights — and yet, the authorities look the other way,” Kalu said.

He accused aviation agencies, including the NCAA and NEMA, of failing to conduct routine drug and health checks for flight crews.

“This is unacceptable. Many modern aircraft can land automatically, yet we still have such incidents because pilots under the influence cannot manage even simple systems. Substance abuse in aviation is real and it is deadly,” he warned.

Kalu also urged the federal government to overhaul airport infrastructure, saying that “safety begins from the ground.”

“Our runways are in terrible condition. Let us fix our infrastructure and ensure pilots and crew meet global standards. Passenger safety and Nigeria’s reputation are at stake,” he added.

Committee Report Due in Four Weeks

The Senate Committee on Aviation has been mandated to conduct a comprehensive inquiry and submit its report within four weeks, detailing findings and recommending corrective measures to prevent future incidents.

Opinion Nigeria News