NCAA Suspends Pilot Who Landed Private Jet on Delta Road

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the pilot-in-command of the private jet that landed on a road in Delta State, barring him from operating within Nigerian airspace until investigations into the incident are concluded.

The authority also suspended the aircraft's First Officer, while grounding the aircraft involved and suspending its Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF).

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.

According to the NCAA, the aircraft, which had four crew members on board, later departed the location and flew back to Lagos without obtaining the regulatory approval required for such an operation.

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Airport Business Summit in Lagos, NCAA Director-General, Captain Chris Najomo, said the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) had transferred responsibility for the investigation to the aviation regulator.

He said the NCAA had commenced its own inquiry while other security agencies were also examining the incident.

"The investigation is still ongoing. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, has handed the investigation to us (the NCAA). We are doing our own investigation," Najomo said.

"As we speak, the aircraft is grounded. The Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) is suspended."

He added that both pilots would remain suspended from operating in Nigerian airspace until the investigation is completed.

"The pilots are suspended from flying in this airspace until we come up with our own investigation because, as a pilot for 45 years, I can't see a road and land on the road. You will look at the other motives, too."

Najomo further disclosed that the Department of State Services (DSS) had joined the investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the unusual landing.

"The DSS got involved and they are investigating. Until that investigation comes out, it remains like that," he said.

The NCAA has not indicated when the investigation is expected to be concluded but maintained that the sanctions imposed on the pilots and the aircraft will remain in force pending the outcome of the inquiries.