NCAA Grounds Aircraft After Emergency Road Landing Near Asaba, Launches Investigation

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded a privately operated aircraft and suspended the operator’s permit after the aircraft reportedly carried out an emergency landing on a roadway near Asaba, Delta State, before departing for Lagos without obtaining regulatory approval.

The development was disclosed in a preliminary incident report issued on Wednesday by the NCAA, which confirmed that an investigation has commenced into both the circumstances surrounding the emergency landing and the aircraft’s subsequent unauthorized flight.

According to the Authority, preliminary information indicates that the aircraft was attempting to land in Asaba at about 7:43 a.m. local time when it executed a missed approach.

The aircraft subsequently landed on a roadway in the Ogwashi-Uku area near Asaba under circumstances that are now being examined by aviation regulators and safety investigators.

The NCAA said reports received from personnel at the scene indicated that all four crew members onboard safely exited the aircraft after landing and were later transported to Asaba by road.

“At this time, no injuries to passengers or crew have been reported,” the Authority stated.

However, the incident took a more serious regulatory dimension after preliminary findings revealed that the aircraft later departed the location and flew back to Lagos without receiving the required approval from aviation authorities.

According to the NCAA, available information shows that the aircraft took off from the site at approximately 1102 GMT and returned to Lagos despite the absence of regulatory clearance.

The Authority further disclosed that Air Traffic Control officials were only informed after the aircraft had already become airborne.

The NCAA described the action as a direct violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs), stressing that the matter is now the subject of a full-scale investigation.

“Upon its arrival in Lagos, the NCAA immediately grounded the aircraft pending the outcome of its investigation,” the Authority stated.

It added that the flight crew involved in the operation have been placed under regulatory review while inquiries continue.

As part of its response, the NCAA also announced the suspension of the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF), pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.

The Authority said it has formally notified the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and is working closely with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the aircraft operator and other aviation stakeholders to determine the full circumstances surrounding the occurrence.

Investigators are expected to review all operational records, airworthiness documentation, maintenance logs, flight plans and other relevant materials as part of the inquiry.

The NCAA reiterated its commitment to aviation safety and regulatory compliance, assuring the public that appropriate enforcement actions would be taken where necessary.

“The Authority will 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 statement added.

The report was signed by the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu.