…as authority suspends operator’s permit, launches probe into safety violations
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has confirmed an incident involving a private aircraft near Asaba, Delta State, on Wednesday, June 10, and says it has grounded the jet in Lagos after it departed the crash site without regulatory approval.
In a statement on Friday, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, said the aircraft missed its approach at about 7:43 a.m. local time and landed on a roadway in Ogwashi-Uku, near Asaba.
“All four crew members exited safely with no injuries reported,” Achimugu stated.
According to preliminary findings, the aircraft later departed the site at approximately 11:02 GMT and flew to Lagos without clearance from regulators. Air Traffic Control was notified only after the aircraft had taken off.
NCAA described the unauthorized departure as a violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, Nig. CARs, and said it is under investigation. Upon landing in Lagos, the Authority grounded the aircraft and placed the crew under regulatory review.
“The Authority is investigating both the emergency landing and the unauthorized departure,” the statement added.
NCAA said it has notified the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, and is coordinating with the aircraft operator and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, on the incident.
As part of immediate regulatory action, the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight, PNCF, has been suspended pending a review of all operational and maintenance records.
“The NCAA reaffirms its commitment to safety, security, and regulatory compliance in Nigeria’s aviation sector,” Achimugu said.
The NSIB is expected to conduct a separate technical investigation to determine the cause of the missed approach and the circumstances surrounding the emergency landing.
No details have been released yet on the aircraft type, registration, or the operator involved. NCAA said further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
