NCAA Grounds Aircraft Over Asaba Landing Incident

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 incident involving an emergency landing near Asaba, Delta State.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, the Authority disclosed that it had received preliminary reports concerning the occurrence, which happened on June 10, 2026.

According to the NCAA, the aircraft was attempting to land in Asaba when it conducted a missed approach at about 7:43 a.m. local time. The aircraft subsequently landed on a roadway in the Ogwashi-Uku area near Asaba.

The Authority said all four crew members on board safely evacuated the aircraft and were transported to Asaba by road. No injuries were reported.

However, the NCAA noted that preliminary findings revealed that the aircraft later departed the location and returned to Lagos without obtaining the required regulatory clearance. The aircraft reportedly took off at about 11:02 GMT, while Air Traffic Control was informed only after it had become airborne.

The Authority described the action as a violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) and confirmed that an investigation had been launched.

“Upon its arrival in Lagos, the NCAA immediately grounded the aircraft pending the outcome of its investigation,” the statement said.

The regulator further disclosed that the flight crew had been placed under regulatory review as inquiries continue into the circumstances surrounding both the incident and the unauthorized departure.

The NCAA said it had formally notified the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and was working with relevant stakeholders, including the aircraft operator and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), to establish the full facts of the occurrence.

As part of the ongoing investigation, the Authority said it would examine all operational, airworthiness, maintenance and flight-related records connected to the aircraft.

The NCAA added that further enforcement actions would be taken in accordance with applicable aviation regulations if violations are confirmed.