Asaba Road Landing Incident: NCAA Bars Pilots From Airspace, Grounds Private Jet

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has barred the pilot and first officer of a private aircraft that landed on a road in Delta State from operating in Nigerian airspace, while also grounding the aircraft pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation into the incident.

The director general of the NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the Airport Business Summit in Lagos.

Najomo said the Authority had also suspended the aircraft’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF), effectively preventing it from operating until investigations are concluded.

According to him, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has transferred the investigation to the NCAA, which is conducting a regulatory probe into the incident.

“The investigation is still ongoing. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has handed the investigation to us. We are carrying out our own investigation. As we speak, the aircraft is grounded and the Permit for Non-Commercial Flight has been suspended,” he said.

The NCAA boss added that both pilots would remain barred from flying within Nigerian airspace until the investigation is completed.

“The pilots are suspended from flying in this airspace until we conclude our investigation because, as a pilot for 45 years, I can’t see a road and land on it. You will also look at the other motives. The DSS got involved and they are investigating. Until that investigation is concluded, the suspension remains,” Najomo stated.

The incident occurred in June when a private jet with registration number N989BC, operated by VMO Aero Ltd, landed on a road in the Ogwashi-Uku area of Delta State.

The aircraft, which had four crew members on board, subsequently departed the location and returned to Lagos without obtaining the required regulatory approval, prompting investigations by aviation authorities and other security agencies.

The Department of State Services (DSS) is also participating in the investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the unusual landing and subsequent departure of the aircraft.