By John Umeh
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has declared that there is no evidence to indict David Bernard, the Air Peace co-pilot linked to the July 13, 2025, runway excursion at Port Harcourt International Airport.
The incident, which drew national attention, involved an Air Peace aircraft that veered off the runway after landing. Preliminary reports from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) revealed that the aircraft had touched down 2,264 metres from the threshold of the runway—far beyond the safe touchdown zone—before coming to a stop 209 metres into the clearway.
Initial findings raised concerns after toxicological screenings indicated the presence of alcohol-related substances in some crew members, while a cabin attendant reportedly tested positive for THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis. These revelations stirred public debate and raised questions about flight crew discipline, airline safety standards, and regulatory oversight.
However, speaking during a public engagement on X (formerly Twitter), NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, insisted that the regulatory body’s decision to clear Bernard was based strictly on evidence.
“The NCAA has been accused of rushing to clear the first officer, but the facts don’t support those claims,” Achimugu explained. “Our internal findings, along with the NSIB’s preliminary report, show that the co-pilot was not culpable. In fact, he advised the captain to execute a go-around, which the captain declined.”
Achimugu stressed that grounding a co-pilot indefinitely without credible evidence would be unjust and damaging to his career. He added that the NCAA had already engaged the NSIB and was awaiting its final comprehensive investigation to guide further decisions.
Safety First, But With Fairness
The NCAA emphasized that while safety remains the highest priority in aviation, investigations must remain objective and evidence-driven. Achimugu noted that the regulator would not hesitate to impose sanctions where wrongdoing is established but also had a duty to protect aviation professionals from reputational harm in the absence of proof.
“The aviation sector thrives on discipline, but also on fairness,” he said. “We cannot destroy careers based on suspicion alone. If our findings show someone acted responsibly, then we must be transparent about that.”
Broader Implications for Aviation Safety
The Port Harcourt incident has once again sparked conversation about Nigeria’s aviation safety record, particularly around crew management, adherence to flight protocols, and the importance of substance monitoring among airline staff.
While the co-pilot has been cleared, the NSIB’s initial report suggests that poor decision-making in the cockpit—especially the captain’s refusal to heed calls for a go-around—was central to the incident. Analysts say this highlights the need for stricter training on cockpit resource management and improved enforcement of drug and alcohol policies for crew members.
For now, Air Peace continues to cooperate with regulators while passengers and stakeholders await the NSIB’s final report, which is expected to provide a clearer picture of what went wrong and how such incidents can be prevented in the future.
