…Queries NSIB reports
Management of Air Peace Limited said it has grounded and relieved from further flight duty till date, the captain of the flight involved in a runway excursion at Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo International Airport, Port Harcourt for failure to adhere to Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles and for disregarding standard go-around procedures; long before the preliminary reports of Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) which indicted him of alleged failing breathalyser tests were published.
The airline also queried the reason NSIB did not communicate the reports of its investigation to it, as required before going public
Recalled that the NSIB report alleged that the Pilot-In- Control (PIC) tested positive to consumption of alcohol and proscribed drug before operating the aircraft that overshot runway during landing at tthe Port Harcourt Airport.
In the same vein, the management of the airline frowmed at media reports which claimed that the First Officer (Co-pilot) of the flight was also indicted in the NSIB’s reports.
Accordingto Air Peace: “The captain of the affected flight was grounded and relieved from further flight duty till date for failure to adhere to Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles and for disregarding standard go-around procedures as advised by his co-pilot but not for testing positive to breathalyser test as the result was not communicated to us by NSIB to date.
“Contrary to reports in the media, the First Officer (Co-pilot), who demonstrated professionalism in calling for a go-around to his captain, has been reinstated into active flying duties, with full approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The NCAA cleared him. If he was involved in drug or alcohol use, the regulatory authority would not have cleared him to resume flight duties.”
The West and Central African largest carrier known for strict adherence to standards however, said it would have to increase the frequency of alcohol and drug tests on its crew if the relieved captain actually tested positive to alcohol and drug consumption before embarking on the flight.
“However, if the relieved captain tested positive to the breathalyser test, then we must increase the frequency of our alcohol and drug tests on our crew.,” Air Peace insisted.
The airline further said that it will intensify strict Fitness-for-Duty checks and Stronger Internal Monitoring to prevent any breach of its Zero safety policy
“Again, the importance of Enhanced Crew Resource Management Training can not be over emphasized.
“We will intensify strict Fitness-for-Duty checks and Stronger Internal Monitoring to prevent any breach of our zero-tolerance safety policy,” the airline said
Reiterating its zero tolerance for drug use by its staff, Air Peace stated further that its priority on safety cannot be compromised for any reason because it upholds transparency and compliance with utmost priority. insisting that it conducts stricter and frequent alcohol and drug tests on its crew far above the prescribed standards.
It said, “As a responsible airline, we place utmost priority on safety, transparency, and compliance, and it is important to set the record straight.
“Air Peace conducts frequent alcohol and drug tests on our crew. We have a very strict alcohol use policy that is stricter than the 8 hours before the flight as provided in the regulations. Drug use is a NO-NO!”
