The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded a privately operated aircraft and suspended its operator's permit following an emergency landing near Asaba, Delta State, and an alleged unauthorized departure from the incident site.
The aviation regulator disclosed the development in a preliminary report issued Wednesday, saying the aircraft was involved in an incident while attempting to land at Asaba Airport earlier in the day.
According to the NCAA, the aircraft conducted a missed approach at about 7:43 a.m. local time before reportedly landing on a roadway in the Ogwashi-Uku area near Asaba.
The authority said all four crew members on board safely exited the aircraft and were transported to Asaba by road. No injuries were reported.
“Reports received from personnel at the scene indicate that all occupants safely exited the aircraft and were transported to Asaba by road,” the NCAA said.
“At this time, no injuries to passengers or crew have been reported.”
However, the regulator said preliminary findings showed that the aircraft later departed the location and flew back to Lagos without obtaining the required regulatory clearance.
According to the NCAA, the aircraft took off from the site at about 11:02 GMT, while Air Traffic Control was reportedly informed only after the aircraft had become airborne.
The authority described the action as a violation of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations and said a full investigation had commenced.
“This action constitutes a violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations and is currently under investigation by the Authority,” the statement said.
Upon arrival in Lagos, the aircraft was immediately grounded pending the outcome of the investigation, while the flight crew were placed under regulatory review.
The NCAA also announced the suspension of the operator's Permit for Non-Commercial Flight pending further inquiries.
As part of the investigation, the authority said it would examine all operational, maintenance, airworthiness and flight-related records associated with the aircraft.
The regulator has formally notified the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau and is working with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, the aircraft operator and other stakeholders to determine the circumstances surrounding both the emergency landing and the subsequent departure.
“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 said.
The incident has drawn attention within the aviation industry because of the reported unauthorized takeoff from the emergency landing site, a move regulators say raises serious safety and compliance concerns.
The NCAA reiterated its commitment to maintaining aviation safety, security and regulatory compliance across Nigeria's air transport sector as investigations continue.
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