The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded an aircraft and launched a full investigation after a serious aviation incident involving an emergency landing on an unapproved site in Delta State and a subsequent unauthorized departure.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed that the aircraft conducted a missed approach at about 07:43 a.m. while attempting to land at the Asaba Airport but reportedly diverted and landed on a concrete road still under construction in the Ogwashi-Uku area near Asaba.
According to the minister, eyewitnesses confirmed that all four crew members on board exited the aircraft safely and were transported by road to Asaba. No injuries were reported.
However, the situation escalated later in the day when the aircraft reportedly departed the makeshift landing site at about 11:02 GMT and returned to Lagos without obtaining the required regulatory clearance.
Keyamo said air traffic control was only notified after the aircraft had already become airborne, describing the action as a serious breach of aviation regulations.
The minister said the NCAA had immediately taken several enforcement measures, including grounding the aircraft upon its arrival in Lagos pending investigation.
He added that the regulator has placed the flight under formal review and is working with relevant aviation agencies, including the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
As part of the sanctions, the NCAA has also suspended the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) and will review all operational, maintenance, airworthiness, and flight records connected to the aircraft.
“The NCAA views this incident as a serious breach of regulations and security,” Keyamo said, adding that further enforcement actions will be taken in line with aviation laws.
He further disclosed that security agencies have taken the crew into custody and are assisting with ongoing investigations into the incident.
Authorities say further details will be released as inquiries progress.
