The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the pilot and first officer of a private aircraft that controversially landed on a public road in Delta State, as investigations into the incident continue.
The aviation regulator also grounded the aircraft involved and suspended its Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF), pending the outcome of the probe.
The Director-General of the NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, disclosed the development on Wednesday while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the Airport Business Summit in Lagos.
Najomo explained that the aircraft will remain grounded until authorities complete a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the unusual landing.
According to him, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has transferred the investigation to the NCAA, which is now leading the regulatory inquiry.
“The investigation is still ongoing. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has handed the investigation to us. We are carrying out our own investigation. As we speak, the aircraft is grounded and the Permit for Non-Commercial Flight has been suspended,” he said.
The NCAA boss added that both members of the flight crew have also been barred from operating within Nigeria’s airspace until investigators establish what led to the incident.
Expressing concern over the incident, Najomo questioned the decision to land an aircraft on a public road, describing it as highly unusual.
Drawing from his 45 years of flying experience, he said the circumstances require a thorough investigation.
“The pilots are suspended from flying in this airspace until we conclude our investigation because, as a pilot for 45 years, I can’t see a road and land on it. You will also look at the other motives.”
He further disclosed that the Department of State Services (DSS) has joined the investigation to determine whether there were other factors behind the incident.
According to him, the suspension of the pilots will remain in force until all investigations are concluded.
The incident occurred in June when a private aircraft bearing registration number N989BC, operated by VMO Aero Ltd, landed on a road in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State.
The aircraft reportedly had four crew members on board at the time.
Authorities said the aircraft later departed the scene and flew back to Lagos without first obtaining the regulatory clearance required for such a movement.
The NCAA is expected to determine whether aviation regulations were violated and whether additional sanctions will be imposed once investigations are completed.
