The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded a privately operated aircraft and suspended the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) after the aircraft landed on a roadway in the Ogwashi-Uku area near Asaba, Delta State.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, said the incident occurred at about 7:43 a.m. after the aircraft carried out a missed approach while attempting to land at Asaba Airport.
According to the NCAA, all four crew members on board safely exited the aircraft, and 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,” Achimugu said.
The authority said preliminary findings showed that the aircraft later departed the location and returned to Lagos without obtaining the required regulatory approval. Air Traffic Control was reportedly informed only after the aircraft had already taken off.
The NCAA described the departure as a violation of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) and said an investigation is underway.
Following the aircraft’s arrival in Lagos, the regulator ordered it grounded pending the outcome of the investigation. The flight crew have also been placed under regulatory review.
The NCAA said it has formally notified the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and is working with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the operator and other aviation stakeholders to determine the circumstances surrounding both the landing and the subsequent departure.
As part of its investigation, the authority will examine the operator’s operational, airworthiness, maintenance and flight records. It said additional enforcement measures may be taken if violations are confirmed.
The NCAA reiterated its commitment to aviation safety, security and compliance with regulatory standards across the sector.
