NCAA grounds aircraft for unauthorized departure after missed approach In Asaba

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has suspended the operator’s permit and grounded a private aircraft that departed from an incident site near Asaba without the necessary regulatory approval.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo stated that the aircraft was involved in an incident around 7:43 a.m. local time while attempting to land at Asaba Airport. It is said that the aircraft executed a missed approach and subsequently landed on a concrete road that was under construction in the Ogwashi-Uku area, close to Asaba.

The minister noted that there were four crew members aboard the aircraft, and fortunately, no injuries were reported. He further mentioned that reports from the scene confirmed that all individuals on board exited the aircraft safely and were transported to Asaba by road.

Keyamo indicated that the aircraft departed the location at approximately 11:02 GMT and returned to Lagos without securing the necessary regulatory approval.

“I have also been informed that the aircraft subsequently left the site at around 11:02 GMT and made its way back to Lagos without obtaining the required regulatory clearance.

“Additionally, I understand that Air Traffic Control was only notified after the aircraft had taken off. In essence, the aircraft did not have permission to take off again,” he stated.

Keyamo characterized the incident as a significant violation of aviation regulations and security protocols.

He mentioned that the NCAA grounded the aircraft immediately upon its arrival in Lagos, pending the results of an investigation. The authority has also placed the flight under regulatory review and is scrutinizing the circumstances surrounding both the landing incident and the aircraft’s subsequent departure.

The minister confirmed that the NCAA is collaborating with the aircraft operator and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency to ascertain the complete details of the incident.

He stated that the NCAA grounded the aircraft immediately upon its arrival in Lagos, pending the results of an investigation. The authority has also subjected the flight to a regulatory review and is scrutinizing the circumstances related to both the landing incident and the aircraft’s later departure.

The minister indicated that the NCAA is collaborating with the aircraft operator and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency to ascertain the complete details of the event.

He further revealed that the authority had suspended the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight, PNCF, and would be reviewing operational, maintenance, airworthiness, and flight records as part of its inquiry.

“The NCAA will also examine all operational, airworthiness, maintenance, and flight-related records as part of its statutory duties and will take additional enforcement actions in accordance with relevant aviation regulations,” he stated.

Keyamo added that security agencies have taken custody of the crew and are aiding in the ongoing investigations.

“I have also communicated with the pertinent security agencies and have been assured that the crew are in their custody and are assisting them with their investigation,” he mentioned.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing, with aviation regulators and security agencies anticipated to clarify the circumstances surrounding the aircraft’s landing and subsequent departure from the site.