….Crew Under Probe Over Alleged Unauthorised Take-off From Roadside
BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded a privately operated aircraft and suspended the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) following an emergency landing near Asaba, Delta State, and what regulators described as an unauthorised departure to Lagos.
According to a preliminary report released by the NCAA’s Spokesman, Michael Achimugu,
On Wednesday, the aircraft encountered difficulties while attempting to land at Asaba Airport and was forced to land on a roadway in the Ogwashi-Uku area.
The Authority said available information indicated that the aircraft carried out a missed approach at about 7:43 a.m. local time while trying to land in Asaba before subsequently touching down on the road.
Officials at the scene reported that all occupants safely exited the aircraft and were transported to Asaba by road. The aircraft had four crew members on board, and no injuries were recorded.
However, the incident took a more serious regulatory turn when the aircraft reportedly departed the location and flew back to Lagos without obtaining the required approval from aviation authorities.
According to the NCAA, preliminary findings showed that the aircraft took off from the site at approximately 11:02 GMT and returned to Lagos without the requisite regulatory clearance.
The Authority added that Air Traffic Control was only informed after the aircraft had already become airborne.
The NCAA said the action constitutes a violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations and is now the subject of a formal investigation.
“Upon its arrival in Lagos, the NCAA immediately grounded the aircraft pending the outcome of its investigation,” the Authority stated.
It further disclosed that the flight crew have been placed under regulatory review as investigators examine the circumstances surrounding both the emergency landing and the subsequent departure.
As part of the ongoing probe, the NCAA has formally notified the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and is working with relevant stakeholders, including the aircraft operator and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), to determine the full details of the occurrence.
In addition to grounding the aircraft, the Authority announced the suspension of the operator’s PNCF permit pending the outcome of investigations.
The NCAA said it would review all operational, maintenance, airworthiness and flight records linked to the aircraft and operator as part of its statutory oversight responsibilities.
The regulator stressed that further enforcement actions could follow depending on the findings of the investigation.
The incident has once again drawn attention to compliance with aviation safety procedures and emergency response protocols in Nigeria’s aviation sector, particularly regarding aircraft operations outside designated airport environments.
The NCAA reiterated its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety, security and regulatory compliance across the country’s aviation industry, assuring the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted before any final conclusions are reached.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
