The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has sanctioned the operator of a private jet that landed on a road under construction in Delta state.
In an unusual occurrence recorded on Wednesday, the aircraft identified as a 1988 CANADAIR LTD CL-600-2B16 with registration number N989BC reportedly made an emergency landing on a roadway in Ogwashi-Uku area near Asaba International Airport.
The private jet was claimed to have conducted a missed approach while attempting to land at the airport around 7:43am yesterday.
This forced the pilots to make the emergency landing on a concrete road still under construction.
While its passengers were safely evacuated and transported by road to Asaba, the aircraft reportedly made immediate takeoff back to Lagos.
Video shared on X captured moment the private jet took off from the road after its passengers were evacuated.
Confirming the incident in a statement issued on his X handle, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said the aircraft departed Asaba at 11:02am for Lagos.
While the crew members were safely evacuated on arrival in Lagos, the aircraft, according to Keyamo, the aircraft became airborne having landed without requisite regulatory approval.
“I have received reports of the private aircraft that conducted a missed approach at approximately 07:43 am local time this morning whilst attempting to land at the Asaba airport and ended up landing on a concrete road still under construction in the Ogwashi-Uku area, near Asaba.
“Happily, eyewitnesses at the scene indicate that all occupants safely exited the aircraft and were transported to Asaba by road. The aircraft had four (4) crew members on board and there were no injuries to them.
“I am also informed that the aircraft subsequently departed the location at approximately 11:02 GMT and returned to Lagos without obtaining the requisite regulatory approval.
“I also understand that Air Traffic Control was notified only after the aircraft had become airborne. In order words, the aircraft had no clearance to take off again.” He said.
The minister disclosed that the private jet, having breached laid down regulations, was immediately grounded with the NCAA suspending the operator’s permit for non-commercial flights.
“Upon its arrival in Lagos, the NCAA immediately grounded the aircraft pending the outcome of its investigation.
“The NCAA has placed the flight under regulatory review while it conducts further inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the occurrence and the subsequent unauthorized departure of the aircraft.
“The NCAA is coordinating with relevant aviation stakeholders, including the operator and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The NCAA has suspended the operator’s permit for Non-Commercial flight (PNCF).” Keyamo wrote.
The minister said that the NCAA will also review all operational, airworthiness, maintenance, and flight-related records as part of its statutory responsibilities and will take further enforcement action in accordance with applicable aviation regulations.
He disclosed that the crew members are currently in custody as investigation over the cause of the incident commences.
“I have also spoken to relevant security agencies, and I have been assured that the crew are in their custody and they are assisting them with their investigation.” Keyamo stated.