NCAA Grounds Aircraft, Suspends Operator’s Permit After Unauthorised Takeoff from Roadway
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded a privately operated aircraft and suspended its operator’s permit following an incident in which the jet made an emergency landing on a road near Asaba, Delta State, and later departed for Lagos without regulatory clearance.
The aircraft, carrying four crew members, landed on a roadway in the Ogwashi-Uku area near Asaba early on June 10, 2026, after a failed landing attempt at Asaba Airport. All occupants safely exited the aircraft, and no injuries have been reported.
According to the NCAA, preliminary findings indicate that the aircraft subsequently took off from the road and flew to Lagos without obtaining the required approval from aviation authorities, an action that violates the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs).
Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, stated that the Authority received preliminary reports of the incident on June 10, 2026. The aircraft conducted a missed approach at approximately 7:43 a.m. local time while attempting to land at Asaba Airport and then landed on the roadway.
“Reports received from personnel at the scene indicate that all occupants safely exited the aircraft and were transported to Asaba by road,” Achimugu said. “The aircraft had four crew members on board. At this time, no injuries to passengers or crew have been reported.”
He noted that Air Traffic Control was notified only after the aircraft had become airborne, which constitutes a violation of Nig. CARs and is currently under investigation.
Upon the aircraft’s arrival in Lagos, the NCAA immediately grounded it pending the outcome of investigations into both the emergency landing and the unauthorised departure. The flight crew has also been placed under regulatory review.
The NCAA has suspended the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) pending the investigation’s conclusion. The Authority has formally notified the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and is coordinating with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the operator to establish the full circumstances of the incident.
Achimugu added that the NCAA will conduct a comprehensive review of the aircraft’s operational history, including airworthiness, maintenance, and flight records, as part of its statutory oversight responsibilities. Further enforcement measures will be taken if violations of aviation regulations are confirmed.
While the NCAA did not disclose the identity of the operator or the aircraft, the Authority reiterated its commitment to enforcing aviation safety standards and ensuring strict regulatory compliance. “The NCAA remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety, security, and regulatory compliance within the Nigerian aviation sector,” Achimugu said.