What happened
On the morning of July 13, 2025, Air Peace Limited flight APK7190 departed Lagos for Port Harcourt with 103 people on board. The Boeing 737-524 aircraft, registered as 5N-BQQ, was cleared for an instrument landing system approach to Runway 21 at Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo International Airport. Weather conditions were clear with calm winds.
During the final phase of the approach, the captain reported maintaining stability until 1,000 feet above ground level before disconnecting the autopilot. At approximately 400 feet, the captain noticed the flight path indicator suggested a descent was needed but continued the approach. The aircraft crossed the runway threshold at only 200 feet above ground level. Although the first officer issued go-around commands, the captain elected to land. The aircraft touched down roughly 2,264 meters from the start of the runway and traveled an additional 945 meters before stopping in the clearway area.
The investigation
The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) dispatched investigators to the site immediately following the incident. Key elements of their initial examination include:
- Toxicology Results: Post-incident testing revealed that both the captain and first officer tested positive for ethyl glucuronide, indicating recent alcohol consumption. The captain also tested positive for cotinine (nicotine). Additionally, a cabin crew member tested positive for THC.
- Flight Recorders: The Cockpit Voice Recorder data was found to be overwritten, limiting audio analysis. The Flight Data Recorder has been retrieved but is still under full analysis.
- Aircraft Status: The airframe remained intact with no fire reported. All passengers and crew disembarked without injury.
Findings
The preliminary investigation has established several critical factors contributing to the event:
- The aircraft landed significantly beyond the normal touchdown zone, resulting in a runway overrun into the clearway.
- The captain continued the approach despite being below safe decision heights and ignoring go-around instructions from the first officer.
- Substance use was confirmed for both flight deck crew members prior to the flight.
Safety action
The NSIB has issued immediate safety recommendations to Air Peace Limited:
- Strengthen Crew Resource Management (CRM) training, specifically focusing on stabilized approaches and go-around authority.
- Reinforce internal procedures for monitoring crew fitness-for-duty before dispatch.