Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has defended its decision to clear Air Peace co-pilot David Bernard in connection with the July 13 runway excursion at the Port Harcourt International Airport.
The Air Peace aircraft veered off the runway during landing.
A preliminary investigation by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) found that the plane touched down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold, beyond the recommended touchdown zone and stopped 209 metres into the clearway.
The NSIB report also said toxicological tests conducted on the flight crew returned positive indicators of alcohol consumption for the captain and co-pilot, while a cabin crew member tested positive for THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis.
Speaking during an X space on Saturday, NCAA’s director of public affairs and consumer protection, Michael Achimugu, said the authority followed due process in its decision.
“I learnt yesterday that the NCAA was being blamed for giving clearance to the first officer. But based on the NCAA 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,” Achimugu said.
He added that he had reached out to NSIB and was awaiting comprehensive feedback.
Air Peace had earlier disputed the NSIB’s toxicology findings, insisting it never received official communication from the bureau.
The airline also said Bernard was reinstated with NCAA’s approval.
