The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded a private aircraft after it reportedly landed on the Asaba–Ogwashi-Uku Expressway in Delta State and later departed the location without obtaining regulatory approval.
The incident occurred on Wednesday when the aircraft, while attempting to land at Asaba International Airport, carried out a missed approach and touched down on a concrete section of the Asaba–Ogwashi-Uku Expressway that is currently under construction.
The unusual landing drew attention from residents and motorists in the area, who watched as the aircraft landed on the roadway instead of the airport runway.
Confirming the development, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed that the aircraft landed on the road in the Ogwashi-Uku area near Asaba after aborting its initial landing attempt.
According to Keyamo, “I have received reports of the private aircraft that conducted a missed approach at approximately 07:43 am local time this morning whilst attempting to land at the Asaba airport and ended up landing on a concrete road still under construction in the Ogwashi-Uku area, near Asaba.”
He added that all four crew members on board escaped unharmed.
“Happily, eye witnesses at the scene indicate that all occupants safely exited the aircraft and were transported to Asaba by road. The aircraft had four (4) crew members on board and there were no injuries to them,” the minister stated.
However, the situation escalated when the aircraft reportedly departed the expressway without obtaining the necessary clearance from aviation authorities.
Keyamo revealed that the aircraft later flew back to Lagos despite lacking approval for takeoff.
“I am also informed that the aircraft subsequently departed the location at approximately 11:02 GMT and returned to Lagos without obtaining the requisite regulatory approval,” he said.
“I also understand that Air Traffic Control was notified only after the aircraft had become airborne. In other words, the aircraft had no clearance to take off again.”
Describing the incident as a serious breach of aviation regulations and security procedures, the minister announced immediate sanctions against the aircraft operator.
“Upon its arrival in Lagos, the NCAA immediately grounded the aircraft pending the outcome of its investigation,” Keyamo disclosed.
He further stated that the aviation regulator had commenced a comprehensive review of the incident.
“The NCAA has placed the flight under regulatory review while it conducts further inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the occurrence and the subsequent unauthorized departure of the aircraft,” he said.
According to the minister, the NCAA is working with relevant stakeholders, including the aircraft operator and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
He also announced that the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) had been suspended.
“The NCAA has suspended the operator’s permit for Non-Commercial flight (PNCF). 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,” Keyamo added.
The minister further disclosed that security agencies had taken custody of the crew members and were assisting with ongoing investigations.
“I have also spoken to relevant security agencies and I have been assured that the crew are in their custody and they are assisting them with their investigation,” he said.
