Air Peace co-pilot David Bernard and cabin crew member Victory Maduneme have dismissed allegations by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) that traces of alcohol and drugs were found in their systems following the July 13, 2025 runway overrun incident in Port Harcourt.
Speaking on ARISE News on Friday, Bernard recounted the events of the day. “The incident happened on the 13th of July, 2025. And we had a flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt and coming into Port Harcourt, we were cleared for the approach. And my captain who was flying was the pilot monitoring that day.
“It was good weather and good visibility, everything going well and smooth until 500 feet when the captain disconnected the autopilot to fly the plane for the approach. So, as he disconnected the autopilot at 500 feet, he was becoming high in the approach. I advised him that, Commander, you are high for this approach. We should initiate a go around. And he didn’t listen to me.
“And on the PAPI, which is a precision approach path indicator, it’s a light which is close to the runway that gives you information on how high or how low you are from the runway. And I was looking at him as what he was doing and also looking outside at the runway and he was getting high on the approach. I told you, Commander, you are high. Go around. He didn’t listen to me. I said it again several times. He didn’t listen to me.
“And he continued the approach. We crossed the runway at about 200 feet. That’s the threshold. We came to land just after the middle of the runway and he was so reluctant to use the reverses as the reverse thrust, which I had to, you know, use the reverse thrust myself and manually bring the plane to a stop by myself.”
Bernard added that his concern grew because “I noticed that the approach wasn’t stable. And he wasn’t following the ILS, which is an instrument landing system that we normally use.”
Cabin crew member Victory Maduneme also rejected the NSIB report, insisting she had never taken drugs or alcohol before duty. “In aviation, nobody is supposed to take alcohol or any drug at all before coming for a flight.
“On the 13th of July after we had landed, NSIB came on board. Five hours later, they asked us to come into a room for them to do a test. Our blood samples were taken and our urine were also taken. Normally when those kind of tests are done, you’re supposed to get your results within a few hours. But this was not given to us that day.
“Two weeks later, on the 6th, I was called by NCAA to come and pick up a letter. I opened the letter and I was in ultra shock to see what was in my result. I went to go and see the doctor and I told the doctor that I’m very shocked to see this in my results and it’s not possible for me to have this in my system.
“They later asked me to do a reconfirmatory test at Cooper Aerospace Clinic. The doctor told me marijuana usually stays in the system for 90 days and advised I should come back later, but I refused. I did the test immediately and everything came out negative.”
She questioned NSIB’s handling of the matter, saying: “If marijuana was found in my system, were they not supposed to tell this to my airline and they are supposed to stop me from flying? Why? Because I’m a risk to the passengers on board and my license would have been taken away from me. But no, they didn’t inform them of this till after two months.
“In the next 72 hours, if NSIB do not come and reiterate whatever they have said against me, then I think we should sue. This is really very bad. This is pure defamation of character.”
Bernard also expressed disbelief at the testing process itself. “First of all, I don’t take alcohol or take any drugs or whatever. I don’t drink.
“If you’re trying to do an alcohol and blood test, we have something called a breathalyzer, where you have to do your test right there. But those guys at the airport took our blood sample and our urine on the 13th and then they are coming back on the 23rd of July for the results. How long does it take for results to be out? It’s 10 days.
“A blood test doesn’t even make no sense. You can’t just jeopardize somebody’s image. They took the test out into non-aviation recognised hospital. It doesn’t just make no sense at all. And I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. I don’t do no alcohol.”
On routine checks, Bernard noted, “I don’t know about NSIB, but this drug and alcohol test is a random check that our company do to crew members. You can randomly be checked if you’re reporting for duty. You’re not supposed to have 0.02 grams of alcohol in your blood. And you’re not supposed to take alcohol eight hours before reporting on duty or on standby.”
In a closing remark, Maduneme urged transparency. “I don’t know if our reports and our test should be shown because the world needs to see this and NSIB needs to come and actually clear this thing. We should just post this. Let the world see that this is our test results and nothing was really found in our system.”
The NSIB is expected to formally respond to the allegations raised.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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