NCAA Clears Air Peace Co-Pilot in Port Harcourt Runway Excursion Incident

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said there is no evidence linking Air Peace co-pilot, David Bernard, to the recent runway excursion involving one of the airline’s aircraft at the Port Harcourt International Airport.

The Authority explained that both its internal review and the preliminary report of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) did not indict Bernard in the July 13, 2025, incident.

InfoStride News recalls that the Air Peace aircraft veered off the runway while landing at Port Harcourt, prompting investigations by aviation regulators.

In its preliminary findings, the NSIB reported that the aircraft had landed 2,264 metres from the runway threshold, far beyond the recommended touchdown zone, before coming to a halt 209 metres into the clearway

The Bureau further disclosed that toxicological tests conducted on the flight crew returned positive for certain substances, including traces of alcohol, while a member of the cabin crew tested positive for THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis.

However, during an X Space session, the NCAA defended its clearance of Bernard, stressing that evidence did not implicate the first officer in the incident.

The NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, said Bernard was, in fact, the officer who advised the captain to execute a go-around, advice which was reportedly ignored.

“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 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,” Achimugu said.

The NCAA maintained that it would continue to collaborate with the NSIB on the ongoing probe, while assuring Nigerians of its commitment to upholding global aviation safety standards.