The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded a privately operated aircraft and suspended the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) following an emergency landing near Asaba, Delta State, and a subsequent unauthorized departure to Lagos.
Incident Details
In a statement signed by the Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, Michael Achimugu, on Wednesday, the NCAA disclosed that preliminary reports indicated the aircraft conducted a missed approach at approximately 7:43 a.m. local time while attempting to land at Asaba Airport. The aircraft subsequently landed on a roadway in the Ogwashi-Uku area near Asaba. All four crew members exited the aircraft safely without injuries and were transported to Asaba by road.
Unauthorized Departure
The NCAA further revealed that preliminary findings showed the aircraft later departed the location at around 11:02 GMT and returned to Lagos without obtaining the required regulatory approval. The authority accused the aircraft of notifying Air Traffic Control only after it was airborne, describing this action as a violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs).
Regulatory Actions
Upon arrival in Lagos, the NCAA immediately grounded the aircraft pending the outcome of an investigation. The flight crew has also been placed under regulatory review as the NCAA continues inquiries into both the emergency landing and the unauthorized departure. The authority has formally notified the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) of the occurrence and is collaborating with relevant aviation stakeholders, including the operator and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), to determine the full circumstances of the incident.
Interim Measures
As an interim measure, the NCAA has suspended the operator’s PNCF permit. The authority stated it would review all operational, airworthiness, maintenance, and flight-related records in line with its statutory responsibilities. Further enforcement actions will be taken where necessary in accordance with applicable aviation regulations.
Commitment to Safety
The NCAA reiterated its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety, security, and regulatory compliance across the country’s aviation sector.
