The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded a privately operated aircraft and suspended its operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) after the aircraft reportedly made an unauthorized departure following an emergency landing near Asaba, Delta State.
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In a statement issued on Wednesday by the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, the authority disclosed that it had received preliminary reports of an aviation occurrence involving the aircraft in the vicinity of Asaba on June 10, 2026.
According to the NCAA, available information indicates that the aircraft conducted a missed approach at about 7:43 a.m. local time while attempting to land at Asaba Airport.
The aircraft subsequently landed on a roadway in the Ogwashi-Uku area near Asaba. Personnel at the scene reportedly confirmed that all four crew members on board safely evacuated the aircraft and were later transported by road to Asaba. No injuries were reported.
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However, the aviation regulator expressed concern over the aircraft’s subsequent actions, revealing that preliminary findings showed the aircraft departed the location at approximately 11:02 GMT and flew back to Lagos without obtaining the necessary regulatory clearance.
The NCAA said Air Traffic Control was reportedly 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 statement said.
The authority added that the flight crew had been placed under regulatory review as investigators work to determine the circumstances surrounding both the emergency landing and the unauthorized departure.
The NCAA also confirmed that it had formally notified the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and was collaborating with relevant stakeholders, including the aircraft operator and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), to establish the full facts of the incident.
As part of its regulatory response, the authority suspended the operator’s PNCF permit and announced plans to review all operational, airworthiness, maintenance and flight-related records associated with the aircraft.
The NCAA said further enforcement actions would be taken where necessary in line with applicable aviation regulations.
Reaffirming its commitment to aviation safety, the authority stated that it would continue to uphold the highest standards of safety, security and regulatory compliance within Nigeria’s aviation sector while investigations continue.
