A privately operated aircraft reportedly landed on a roadway at Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, on Wednesday, June 10, causing a stir among residents in the area.
The aircraft, a Bombardier Challenger 601 business jet, landed on a road still under construction after a failed approach to Asaba International Airport.
According to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, 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 regulator said preliminary findings showed that the aircraft later departed the location and flew back to Lagos without obtaining the required regulatory clearance.
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.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has reacted to the incident.
Via his verified X handle, Keyamo said the aircraft returned to Lagos without obtaining the requisite regulatory approval and the pilot did not notify the Air Traffic Control before take-off but did so after the aircraft had become airborne.
The Minister explained the actions taken by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) because of the breach and said that upon the arrival of the aircraft in Lagos, the Authority immediately grounded the aircraft pending the outcome of its investigation.
He said the NCAA will also 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.
Keyamo said he has also spoken to relevant security agencies and “I have been assured that the crew are in their custody and they are assisting them with their investigation.”
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