The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) over an emergency landing on a roadway under construction in Asaba, Delta state.
NCAA said PNCF would be grounded pending the outcome of on-going investigations.
The Director Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, in a press statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, explained that available information indicates that the aircraft conducted a missed approach at approximately 07.43am local time, while attempting to land at Asaba airport on Wednesday.
He said subsequently, the aircraft reportedly landed on a roadway under construction in the Ogwashi-Uku area near Asaba.
Achimugu explained that the reports received from personnel at the scene indicate that all occupants safely exited the aircraft and were transported to Asaba by road.
He said the aircraft had four crew members on board.
At this time, no injuries to passengers or crew have been reported, Blueprint.ng reports.
He said the aircraft experienced difficulties while attempting to land at Asaba Airport and conducted a missed approach at approximately 7:43 a.m. local time.
He said the aircraft subsequently landed, adding that preliminary findings indicate that Air Traffic Control was informed only after the aircraft had already become airborne, describing the action as a violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs).
“Upon its arrival in Lagos, the NCAA immediately grounded the aircraft pending the outcome of its investigation.
“The flight crew have also been placed under regulatory review as investigators work to determine the circumstances surrounding both the emergency landing and the subsequent unauthorized flight.
“The NCAA said it has formally notified the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and is collaborating with the operator, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and other stakeholders to establish the full facts of the incident.
“As part of its immediate enforcement measures, the Authority has suspended the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) pending the outcome of ongoing investigations,” he said.
He added that the NCAA would examine the aircraft’s operational, maintenance, airworthiness, and flight records and take any further enforcement action deemed necessary under applicable aviation regulations.
He reiterated its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety, security, and regulatory compliance across Nigeria’s aviation sector. (Blue Print)
