The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the operational permit of an airline operator after one of its aircraft reportedly landed on a road near Asaba, Delta State, and later flew out of the area without obtaining regulatory clearance.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu.
According to the Authority, the aircraft encountered difficulties while attempting to land at Asaba Airport and subsequently carried out a missed approach.
The NCAA said preliminary reports indicated that the aircraft later landed on a roadway in the Ogwashi-Uku area near Asaba, prompting immediate attention from aviation authorities.
The regulator disclosed that all four crew members on board safely exited the aircraft and were transported to Asaba by road. No injuries or casualties were recorded.
However, the Authority expressed concern that the aircraft allegedly departed the location and returned to Lagos without securing the required regulatory approval.
According to the NCAA, air traffic authorities were only informed after the aircraft had already taken off, a move it described as a violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations.
“The aircraft reportedly departed the location and returned to Lagos without obtaining the necessary regulatory clearance. Air Traffic Control was notified only after the aircraft became airborne,” the statement said.
Following the incident, the NCAA immediately grounded the aircraft upon its arrival in Lagos and placed the flight crew under regulatory review pending the outcome of investigations.
The Authority also announced the suspension of the operator’s permit for non-commercial flights while inquiries continue.
The NCAA said it had notified the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau and was working with relevant stakeholders, including the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency and the operator, to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The regulator added that it would examine all operational, maintenance, airworthiness and flight records linked to the aircraft and its operator, warning that further enforcement actions would be taken where necessary.