The NCAA suspends pilots involved in the private jet that landed on a road in Delta State as authorities continue to investigate the incident.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) announced the suspension of the pilot and first officer on Tuesday. Director-General Capt. Chris Najomo disclosed the decision during the Airport Business Summit in Lagos. He said the suspension takes immediate effect and will remain until the investigation is complete.
The aircraft, operated by VMO Aero Ltd and registered as N989BC, landed on a road in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, after reportedly missing its approach to Asaba Airport. The jet later returned to Lagos without obtaining the required regulatory approval.
The NCAA suspends pilots because it considers the unauthorised departure a serious breach of Nigeria’s aviation regulations. Najomo said investigators will examine every stage of the flight. They will determine what happened before, during and after the road landing.
In addition to suspending the crew, the NCAA grounded the aircraft and withdrew its Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF). The authority said both actions will remain in force until the investigation ends.
Officials will review the aircraft’s maintenance records, flight documents and operational procedures. They will also assess whether the crew complied with all aviation safety requirements.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched an independent investigation. The bureau will determine the cause of the incident. It will also recommend measures to prevent similar occurrences.
The road landing attracted widespread attention after videos and photos circulated on social media. Although no injuries were reported, the incident raised fresh concerns about aviation safety and regulatory compliance in Nigeria.
According to daily post,For now, NCAA suspends pilots pending the outcome of the investigation. Aviation stakeholders now await the final report, which could lead to additional safety recommendations or regulatory action.
