The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has ordered an immediate investigation into a private aircraft incident near Asaba, Delta State, directing aviation authorities to ground the aircraft and suspend the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) pending the outcome of the probe.
According to a statement issued by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood on Wednesday, the Minister was fully briefed on reports that the aircraft conducted a missed approach while attempting to land at Asaba Airport at about 7:43 a.m. local time on Wednesday before eventually landing on a concrete road still under construction in the Ogwashi-Uku area near Asaba.
Preliminary information indicated that the aircraft was unable to access the airport runway but landed safely on the unfinished road. Eyewitnesses said all occupants disembarked safely and were transported by road to Asaba.
The aircraft reportedly had four crew members on board, with no injuries or fatalities recorded.
While expressing gratitude that no lives were lost in the incident, the Minister described the circumstances surrounding the landing and subsequent events as a matter of grave regulatory and security concern.
According to the statement, the aircraft later departed the location at approximately 11:02 GMT and returned to Lagos without obtaining the necessary regulatory approval. It was further revealed that Air Traffic Control was informed only after the aircraft had already taken off, suggesting that the flight departed without the required operational clearance.
Describing the development as a serious breach of aviation regulations and security protocols, the Minister said the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) immediately grounded the aircraft upon its arrival in Lagos pending the conclusion of a comprehensive investigation.
The NCAA has also commenced a full regulatory review of the incident and is investigating both the circumstances surrounding the emergency landing and the aircraft’s subsequent unauthorised departure.
The authority is working closely with relevant aviation stakeholders, including the aircraft operator and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), to establish the facts surrounding the incident.
As part of the enforcement measures, the NCAA has suspended the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight pending the outcome of the investigation.
The agency is also expected to review all operational, airworthiness, maintenance and flight-related records associated with the aircraft and its operator and has indicated that additional sanctions may be imposed where necessary in accordance with civil aviation regulations.
The Minister disclosed that he had been in contact with relevant security agencies, which confirmed that the flight crew are currently in their custody and are cooperating with ongoing investigations.
Emphasising the Federal Government’s commitment to aviation safety and regulatory compliance, the Ministry stated that no individual or operator, regardless of status, would be allowed to violate established aviation procedures designed to protect lives and preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s airspace.
The Minister assured the public that the investigation would be thorough and transparent and that appropriate actions would be taken based on its findings
