Keyamo Orders Probe as Aircraft Lands on Road Near Asaba, Takes Off Without Clearance
Flight N989BS
By Arit Mbeh
ABUJA — The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded a private aircraft and suspended its operator’s permit after the aircraft reportedly made an unauthorized departure following an incident near Asaba Airport on Wednesday morning.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed the development in a statement posted on X, saying he had received reports that the aircraft conducted a missed approach while attempting to land at Asaba Airport at approximately 7:43 a.m. local time.
According to the minister, the aircraft subsequently landed on a concrete road still under construction in the Ogwashi-Uku area near Asaba.
Keyamo said eyewitnesses at the scene confirmed that all four crew members on board safely exited the aircraft and were transported to Asaba by road. No injuries were reported.
However, the minister said aviation authorities later discovered that the aircraft departed the location at about 11:02 GMT and returned to Lagos without obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals.
“I am informed that Air Traffic Control was notified only after the aircraft had become airborne. In other words, the aircraft had no clearance to take off again,” Keyamo stated.
Describing the incident as a serious breach of aviation regulations and security procedures, the minister announced a series of enforcement actions by the NCAA.
He said the aircraft was immediately grounded upon its arrival in Lagos pending the outcome of investigations.
The NCAA has also placed the flight under regulatory review and launched inquiries into both the landing incident and the subsequent unauthorized departure.
According to the minister, the regulatory agency is working with relevant stakeholders, including the aircraft operator and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, to establish the full circumstances surrounding the occurrence.
In addition, the NCAA has suspended the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) and will review all operational, airworthiness, maintenance and flight-related records as part of its investigation.
“The NCAA will take further enforcement action in accordance with applicable aviation regulations,” the minister said.
Keyamo also revealed that he had contacted relevant security agencies and was assured that the crew members are in their custody and assisting investigators.
Authorities have yet to release details of the aircraft operator or the factors that led to the missed approach and subsequent landing outside the airport. Investigations are ongoing.
