The flight crew of a private aircraft that made an emergency landing on an unfinished road near Asaba, Delta State, on Wednesday have been taken into custody by security agencies.
Incident Details
A statement yesterday by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, Tunde Moshood, said that the development followed an incident involving a private jet that was unable to land at the Asaba Airport during an approach at about 7:43 a.m. There were four crew members onboard of the aircraft as of the time of the incident. The aircraft subsequently touched down safely on a concrete road under construction in the Ogwashi-Uku area.
The statement hinted that all four crew members on board escaped unhurt and no fatalities were recorded.
Minister's Reaction
Keyamo in the statement, expressed grave concern over the circumstances surrounding the incident and the actions taken by the crew afterward. He therefore ordered an immediate investigation after receiving a briefing on the occurrence, describing the matter as a major regulatory and security concern.
According to the minister, preliminary findings revealed that after landing on the road, the aircraft later departed the location and flew back to Lagos without obtaining the mandatory regulatory approvals. The aircraft reportedly took off from the site at about 11:02 GMT and only informed air traffic control after it was already airborne.
The statement said: “In addition, the Honourable Minister has been in contact with the relevant security agencies and has received assurances that the flight crew are currently in their custody and are fully cooperating with ongoing investigations. The Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development reiterates the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to the highest standards of aviation safety, regulatory compliance, and national security. No individual or operator, irrespective of status, will be permitted to circumvent established aviation procedures designed to safeguard lives and maintain the integrity of Nigeria’s airspace system.”
Regulatory Actions
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), had on Wednesday grounded the privately aircraft and suspended the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF), following the incident. The regulatory body also placed under regulatory review the flight crew.
NCAA said it took the decision after the aircraft, which was involved in an emergency occurrence near Asaba on Wednesday, departed the scene and returned to Lagos without obtaining the mandatory regulatory clearance from its inspectors. The NCAA said that preliminary information indicated the aircraft departed the location at approximately 11:02 GMT and headed to Lagos without securing the requisite regulatory authorisation. NCAA described the incident as a serious violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs), which would not be tolerated by the authority.
