September 12, (THEWILL) — Largest West Africa airline, Air Peace, says the captain involved in the serious incident involving a Boeing 737-524 aircraft, with nationality and registration marks 5N-BQQ, operated by the airline, has been grounded and relieved from further flight duty for failure to adhere to Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles and for disregarding standard go-around procedures as advised by his co-pilot.
The airline insisted that the grounding of the pilot was not for testing positive on a breathalyser test, as the result was not communicated to the airline by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to date.
In an official statement issued on Friday, signed by the management, Air Peace stated that the airline is yet to receive any official communications from the NSIB on such findings over a month after the incident and after the testing of the crew for alcohol, which took place within an hour of the incident.
The airline further stated that they conduct frequent alcohol and drug tests on their crew and that the carrier has a very strict alcohol use policy that is stricter than the 8 hours before the flight, as provided in the regulations.
Contrary to reports in the media, the airline informed that 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).
Noting that the NCAA cleared him, Air Peace reasoned that if he was involved in drug or alcohol use, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority would not have cleared him to resume flight duties.
“However, if the relieved captain tests positive for the breathalyser test, then we must increase the frequency of our alcohol and drug tests on our crew.
“Again, the importance of Enhanced Crew Resource Management Training can not be overemphasised.
“We will intensify strict Fitness-for-Duty checks and Stronger Internal Monitoring to prevent any breach of our zero-tolerance safety policy.
“Air Peace has consistently maintained a strong safety record and strictly implements global best practices in all aspects of its operations, and we reassure our esteemed passengers and the Nigerian public that safety will never be compromised in Air Peace”, the airline emphasised.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
