THE Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has confirmed that no casualties were recorded after a privately operated aircraft landed on a roadway in the Ogwashi-Uku area near Asaba, Delta State.
News Point Nigeria reports that the aviation regulator disclosed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, who said preliminary reports indicated that the aircraft conducted a missed approach while attempting to land at Asaba Airport at about 7:43 a.m.
According to Achimugu, personnel at the scene reported that all occupants safely exited the aircraft after the incident and were subsequently transported to Asaba by road.
“Reports received from personnel at the scene indicate that all occupants safely exited the aircraft and were transported to Asaba by road,” he said.
The NCAA further disclosed that the aircraft had four crew members on board at the time of the occurrence.
“The aircraft had four (4) crew members on board. At this time, no injuries to passengers or crew have been reported,” Achimugu added.
However, the authority said preliminary information revealed that the aircraft later departed the location and returned to Lagos without obtaining the mandatory regulatory approval required for such movement.
According to the NCAA, Air Traffic Control was only informed after the aircraft had already become airborne.
Achimugu stated that the action constituted a violation of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) and has become a major focus of the ongoing investigation.
He disclosed that the NCAA immediately grounded the aircraft upon its arrival in Lagos pending the outcome of inquiries into the incident.
“The flight crew have been placed under regulatory review while the NCAA conducts further inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the occurrence and the subsequent unauthorized departure of the aircraft,” the statement said.
The authority also announced that it had formally notified the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and was working with other aviation stakeholders to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The NCAA has formally notified the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) of the occurrence and is coordinating with relevant aviation stakeholders, including the operator and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident,” Achimugu stated.
As part of immediate enforcement measures, the NCAA suspended the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF).
The regulator added that it would carry out a comprehensive review of all operational, airworthiness, maintenance and flight-related records connected to the aircraft and its operator.
Achimugu noted that further enforcement actions would be taken where necessary in accordance with applicable aviation regulations.
He reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to ensuring strict compliance with safety standards across the aviation sector.
According to him, the NCAA remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety, security and regulatory compliance within Nigeria’s aviation industry.