NCAA Grounds Aircraft, Suspends Operator After Emergency Landing on Delta Road
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded a privately operated aircraft and suspended the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) following an emergency occurrence that saw the aircraft land on a roadway near Asaba, Delta State, before subsequently departing for Lagos without regulatory approval.
In a preliminary report issued on Wednesday, the Authority disclosed that the incident occurred in the vicinity of Asaba on the morning of June 10, 2026.
According to the NCAA, available information showed that the aircraft aborted its landing attempt at the Asaba Airport at about 7:43 a.m. local time after carrying out a missed approach.
The aircraft later reportedly touched down on a roadway in the Ogwashi-Uku area close to Asaba.
Officials at the scene informed the Authority that all occupants safely evacuated the aircraft and were conveyed by road to Asaba. The aircraft had four crew members on board and, as of the time of the preliminary report, no injuries had been recorded.
However, the aviation regulator expressed concern over the subsequent movement of the aircraft, revealing that preliminary findings indicated that the aircraft departed the location at approximately 11:02 GMT and returned to Lagos without securing the required regulatory clearance.
The Authority noted that Air Traffic Control was only informed after the aircraft had already become airborne, describing the action as a violation of the provisions of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs).
Upon the aircraft’s arrival in Lagos, the NCAA immediately grounded it pending the outcome of investigations.
The flight crew have also been placed under regulatory review as the Authority continues to examine the circumstances surrounding both the emergency occurrence and the unauthorised departure from the site.
As part of the ongoing investigation, the NCAA said it had formally notified the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and was working with other aviation stakeholders, including the operator and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), to determine the full sequence of events.
The regulator further announced the suspension of the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight in the interim, stressing that it would undertake a comprehensive review of all operational, maintenance, airworthiness and flight-related records in line with its statutory responsibilities.
According to the Authority, additional enforcement measures would be taken where necessary in accordance with applicable aviation regulations.
Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, who signed the statement, reiterated the Authority’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety, security and regulatory compliance within Nigeria’s aviation industry.
The NCAA said investigations are continuing and further updates would be provided as more facts emerge.
