Air Peace co-pilot David Bernard has denied findings in a Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) report that said traces of alcohol and drugs were found in his system following the July 13 runway incident in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Speaking on Arise Television on Friday, Mr Bernard maintained that he does not drink or smoke.
“It was good weather and good visibility, everything was 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,” he said.
Bernard said he raised concerns during the descent because of the aircraft’s altitude and approach, but not over intoxication.
The NSIB, in its preliminary report, had said toxicological tests conducted on the Air Peace crew revealed indicators of alcohol consumption by the captain and co-pilot and cannabis use by a cabin crew member.
Air Peace, chaired by Allen Onyema, however, disputed the report, saying it never received any official communication from NSIB on the findings.
The airline said the captain was dismissed for failing to follow crew resource management principles and ignoring the co-pilot’s go-around advice, not for substance use.
The airline also disclosed that Bernard had been reinstated with approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
