NCAA Bans American Pilot, Grounds Aircraft Over Asaba Landing Incident
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has barred the American pilot involved in the June 10 aviation incident at Asaba Airport from operating within Nigeria’s airspace, while also suspending the aircraft’s First Officer pending the conclusion of ongoing investigations.
The incident involved a Bombardier Challenger 601-3A operated by VMO Aero Limited with U.S. registration number N989BC, which reportedly landed on an uncompleted roadway in Asaba instead of the airport runway.
Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, disclosed the development on the sidelines of the Airport Business Summit in Lagos, stating that the regulatory authority had taken enforcement action after assuming responsibility for the regulatory aspect of the investigation from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
Najomo said the pilot-in-command had been removed from flight operations in Nigeria and prohibited from flying within the country’s airspace. He added that the aircraft remains grounded, with its Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) suspended.
“The investigation is still ongoing. NSIB has handed the regulatory aspect to the NCAA, and we are conducting our own investigation,” he said.
According to the NCAA boss, although the NSIB carried out the initial safety investigation, the matter has now entered the regulatory phase under the authority’s jurisdiction.
He also revealed that the Department of State Services (DSS) had joined the investigation, underscoring the seriousness of the incident.
“As we speak, the aircraft is grounded, the PNCF is suspended, and the pilots are suspended from flying in Nigeria’s airspace until investigations are concluded. As a pilot with 45 years of experience, I will not mistake a road for a runway. We will also examine other possible motives,” Najomo said.
He assured stakeholders and the travelling public that the NCAA would conduct a thorough and transparent investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and impose appropriate sanctions where necessary.
Speaking on the Airport Business Summit, Najomo described the event as an important platform for addressing key issues affecting Nigeria’s aviation industry.
He noted that the NCAA would also review concerns raised by operators regarding monopoly and anti-competitive practices in the sector, stressing the authority’s commitment to ensuring a level playing field, protecting passengers’ interests, promoting the commercial sustainability of airlines, and preventing excessive charges across the aviation value chain.
The Asaba incident sparked widespread concern within the aviation industry after reports indicated that the foreign-registered aircraft crew mistakenly landed on a road instead of the airport runway. The NSIB subsequently launched a safety investigation in line with international aviation standards before transferring the regulatory component of the case to the NCAA.
