The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has grounded a private aircraft and suspended its operator’s permit after the jet made an emergency landing on a roadway near Asaba in Delta State.
After the emergency landing, the NCAA said the aircraft took off to Lagos without regulatory approval, reports The Nation.
According to NCAA, all four crew members aboard the aircraft escaped unhurt after it landed in Ogwashi-Uku area at about 7:43 a.m. while attempting to land in Asaba.
Although the identity of the aircraft operator was not disclosed, the Director Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of NCAA, Michael Achimugu in a statement today explained that it grounded the aircraft immediately upon arrival in Lagos and placed the flight crew under regulatory review.
Giving details of the incident and regulatory actions taken, Achimugu stated: “The NCAA has received preliminary reports concerning an occurrence involving a privately operated aircraft in the vicinity of Asaba, Delta State, on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
“Available information indicates that the aircraft conducted a missed approach at approximately 0743 local time while attempting to land at Asaba.
“Subsequently, the aircraft reportedly landed on a roadway in the Ogwashi-Uku area near Asaba. Reports received from personnel at the scene indicate that all occupants safely exited the aircraft and were transported to Asaba by road.
“The aircraft had four crew members on board. At this time, no injuries to passengers or crew have been reported.
“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 Authority has also been informed that Air Traffic Control was notified only after the aircraft had become airborne.
“This action constitutes a violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) and is currently under investigation by the Authority”.
On the actions taken by NCAA, Achimugu stated: “Upon its arrival in Lagos, the NCAA immediately grounded the aircraft pending the outcome of its investigation.
“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 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.
“In the interim, the NCAA has suspended the operator’s permit for Non-Commercial flight (PNCF).
“The Authority will 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”.
The NCAA pledged its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety, security, and regulatory compliance within the Nigerian aviation sector.
