The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has barred the American pilot involved in the June 10 landing incident at Asaba Airport from operating within Nigerian airspace, while the aircraft’s First Officer has also been suspended pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.
The decision was disclosed on Thursday by the Director General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, during the Airport Business Summit held in Lagos.
The incident involved a Bombardier Challenger 601 3A operated by VMO Aero Limited with the American registration number N989BC. The aircraft reportedly landed on an unfinished roadway instead of the designated runway at Asaba Airport.
Najomo said the regulatory action followed the completion of the safety investigation by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, which has now transferred the regulatory aspect of the case to the NCAA.
According to him, the pilot in command has been removed from flight duties within Nigeria, while the aircraft remains grounded after its Permit for Non Commercial Flight was suspended. The First Officer has also been barred from operating in Nigerian airspace until the investigation is concluded.
Speaking on the development, Najomo explained that the matter has entered the regulatory stage under the authority of the NCAA after the initial safety assessment conducted by the NSIB.
He also revealed that the Department of State Services, DSS, has joined the investigation, describing the incident as one that requires a comprehensive review from both safety and security perspectives.
Najomo said the aircraft will remain grounded and the flight crew will continue to face operational restrictions until the NCAA concludes its findings. Drawing from his decades of experience as a pilot, he noted that landing on a roadway instead of a runway is highly unusual and warrants a thorough examination of all possible factors surrounding the occurrence.
He assured aviation stakeholders and the travelling public that the authority would carry out a transparent and detailed investigation before determining the appropriate regulatory measures.
Commenting on the Airport Business Summit, Najomo described the event as an important forum where industry stakeholders exchange ideas and discuss practical solutions aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The NSIB had earlier released a preliminary report indicating that the aircraft sustained damage to its left nose wheel assembly after mistakenly touching down on a road still under construction rather than the airport runway.
According to the report, the Bombardier Challenger departed Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos for Asaba on an Instrument Flight Rules operation with seven people on board, including four crew members and three passengers.
The bureau further disclosed that the crew initially attempted to land on Runway 11 but discontinued the approach. After receiving approval from Air Traffic Control to carry out a right orbit, the aircraft repositioned for a second landing attempt, during which the incident occurred.
