NSIB Raises Alarm Over Pilot Misdemeanors in Nigeria

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) raised alarms on Wednesday regarding the rising incidents of pilot and crew misdemeanors in the aviation industry. Captain Alex Bard Jnr, the NSIB Director General, emphasized the critical need for stakeholders to uphold integrity, particularly in preserving evidence such as cockpit voice recordings (CVR) and flight data recordings (FDR).

He stated that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) would not hesitate to sanction crew members found violating regulations, especially concerning substance abuse. The workshop included discussions on the serious implications of substance use among aviation personnel, with a call for a zero-tolerance policy on impairments affecting flight safety.

Captain Chris Ona Najomo from the NCAA highlighted the enforcement of regulations, including actions against crew members whose CVR data is overwritten. Experts, including Mr. Deni Jone from the NTSB and Captain David Field from IPAAC, contributed insights on accident investigation and the importance of mental health strategies to mitigate substance-related risks.