Aviation Authority Suspends Pilots and Grounds Private Jet After Unusual Road Landing Near Asaba

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the flight crew and grounded the private charter jet involved in last month’s unusual landing on a road under construction near the Asaba Airport in Delta State. The regulatory agency has also suspended the aircraft’s Permit to Fly while comprehensive investigations are carried out.

The Director-General of the NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, announced the regulatory actions on the sidelines of the Airport Business Summit in Lagos. He confirmed that the initial safety probe, which began under the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), has been handed over to the NCAA for regulatory inquiry. Furthermore, the Department of State Services (DSS) has joined the investigation to explore alternative motives behind the incident.

> “As a pilot with 45 years of experience, I will not see a road and land on it,” Captain Najomo stated, expressing deep skepticism over how a crew could mistake a construction site for an active runway. “We are looking at other possible motives. The DSS is carrying out its own investigation, and the aircraft and pilots remain suspended until the final report is released.”

During the summit, the NCAA chief also addressed broader industry concerns, emphasizing the regulator’s commitment to ensuring fair competition and preventing monopolistic practices. He assured aviation operators that the NCAA is focused on keeping airlines commercially viable, maintaining reasonable service charges, and protecting passenger interests.