A privately operated aircraft caused a stir among residents in Delta State on Wednesday, June 10, when it reportedly landed on a roadway in Ogwashi-Uku. The aircraft, a Bombardier Challenger 601 business jet, touched down on a road still under construction after a failed approach to Asaba International Airport.
Incident Details
According to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the aircraft conducted a missed approach at approximately 7:43 a.m. local time before landing on the roadway in the Ogwashi-Uku area near Asaba. The regulator stated that preliminary findings indicate the aircraft later departed the location and flew back to Lagos without obtaining the required regulatory clearance.
Regulatory Actions
Upon arrival in Lagos, the aircraft was immediately grounded pending the outcome of the investigation, while the flight crew were placed under regulatory review. The NCAA also announced the suspension of the operator's Permit for Non-Commercial Flight pending further inquiries.
Minister's Response
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, reacted to the incident via his verified X handle. He stated that the aircraft returned to Lagos without obtaining the requisite regulatory approval and that the pilot did not notify Air Traffic Control before take-off, only doing so after becoming airborne.
Keyamo explained the actions taken by the NCAA due to the breach. He said that upon the aircraft's arrival in Lagos, the Authority immediately grounded it pending the outcome of the investigation. The NCAA will also review all operational, airworthiness, maintenance, and flight-related records as part of its statutory responsibilities and will take further enforcement action in accordance with applicable aviation regulations.
The Minister added that he has spoken to relevant security agencies and has been assured that the crew are in their custody and are assisting with the investigation.
