Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded a privately operated aircraft and suspended the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) following an incident in which the aircraft made an emergency landing on a roadway in Ogwashi-Uku, near Asaba, Delta State.
In a preliminary report issued on Wednesday, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, said the aircraft encountered difficulties while attempting to land at Asaba Airport and executed a missed approach at approximately 7:43 a.m. local time.
According to the NCAA, the aircraft subsequently landed on a roadway in the Ogwashi-Uku area. Personnel at the scene reported that all four crew members on board safely evacuated the aircraft and were transported by road to Asaba.
“Reports received from personnel at the scene indicate that all occupants safely exited the aircraft and were transported to Asaba by road,” the Authority stated.
The regulator confirmed that no injuries have been reported among the crew members.
However, the incident took a new turn when the aircraft reportedly departed the location and flew back to Lagos without obtaining the mandatory regulatory clearance.
“Preliminary information available to the Authority indicates that the aircraft subsequently departed the location at approximately 1102 GMT and returned to Lagos without obtaining the requisite regulatory approval,” the NCAA said.
The Authority further revealed that Air Traffic Control was notified only after the aircraft had already become airborne.
“The Authority has also been informed that Air Traffic Control was notified only after the aircraft had become airborne,” the statement added.
Describing the action as a breach of aviation regulations, the NCAA said the unauthorized departure constitutes a violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) and is currently under investigation.
As a result, the aircraft was immediately grounded upon its arrival in Lagos, while the flight crew has been placed under regulatory review pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.
“Upon its arrival in Lagos, the NCAA immediately grounded the aircraft pending the outcome of its investigation,” the Authority stated.
In addition, the NCAA announced the suspension of the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) as an interim measure while investigations continue.
The Authority said it has formally notified the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and is coordinating with the aircraft operator, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and other relevant 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,” the statement noted.
The regulator added that it will review all operational, maintenance, airworthiness, and flight-related records as part of its statutory responsibilities and will take further enforcement action where necessary.
Reaffirming its commitment to safety oversight, the NCAA stressed that it remains dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety, security, and regulatory compliance within Nigeria’s aviation sector.
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