The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, has suspended the operational permit of a non-commercial aircraft operator after one of its private jets allegedly made an emergency landing on a public roadway near Asaba, Delta State, before taking off again without prior regulatory clearance.
The aviation regulator described the incident as a serious breach of Nigeria’s aviation rules and confirmed that investigations are underway.
According to a statement issued by the NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, the Authority received preliminary reports that the aircraft experienced difficulty while attempting to land at Asaba Airport.
“Available information indicates that the aircraft conducted a missed approach at approximately 0743 local time while attempting to land at Asaba,” the statement said.
The NCAA explained that after the failed landing attempt, the aircraft reportedly came down on a road in the Ogwashi-Uku area near Asaba, an unusual development that drew the attention of aviation officials and residents.
“Subsequently, the aircraft reportedly landed on a roadway in the Ogwashi-Uku area near Asaba. Reports received from personnel at the scene indicate that all occupants safely exited the aircraft and were transported to Asaba by road,” it added.
The regulator confirmed that there were no injuries, noting that the aircraft had four crew members on board at the time of the incident.
Despite the emergency situation, the NCAA expressed concern that the aircraft later departed the scene without obtaining the required approval from aviation authorities.
“The aircraft subsequently departed the location at approximately 1102 GMT and returned to Lagos without obtaining the requisite regulatory approval,” the statement said.
It further revealed that air traffic control was only informed after the aircraft had already taken off again.
“The Authority has also been informed that Air Traffic Control was notified only after the aircraft had become airborne. This action constitutes a violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations,” the NCAA stated.
Following the incident, the Authority said it immediately grounded the aircraft upon its arrival in Lagos and initiated disciplinary measures against those involved.
“Upon its arrival in Lagos, the NCAA immediately grounded the aircraft pending the outcome of its investigation,” the regulator confirmed.
It added that the flight crew has also been placed under regulatory review while further inquiries continue into the circumstances surrounding the incident and the unauthorized departure.
“The flight crew have been placed under regulatory review while the NCAA conducts further inquiries,” it said.
As part of enforcement actions, the NCAA also announced the suspension of the operator’s permit for non-commercial flights pending the outcome of investigations.
“The Authority has suspended the operator’s permit for Non-Commercial Flight,” the statement added.
The regulator said it is working with relevant aviation bodies, including the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, to determine the full circumstances behind the incident.
Investigators are expected to review all operational, maintenance, and flight records linked to the aircraft as part of the ongoing probe.
