By Kofoworola Fakeye, JKNewsMedia Reporter
A THOROUGH investigation has been ordered into the circumstances surrounding a private aircraft that departed an improvised landing site near Asaba without obtaining regulatory approval or air traffic control clearance.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said he had spoken with relevant security agencies and was assured that the crew were in their custody and assisting with the investigation.
Keyamo stated that the aircraft conducted a missed approach while attempting to land at Asaba Airport and eventually landed on a concrete road still under construction in the Ogwashi Uku area near Asaba at about 7:43 a.m. local time.
He said all occupants safely exited the aircraft and were transported to Asaba by road, with no injuries recorded.
The minister said the aircraft had four crew members on board and later departed the location at approximately 11:02 GMT, returning to Lagos without obtaining the requisite regulatory approval.
He added that Air Traffic Control was notified only after the aircraft had become airborne.
“I have received reports of the private aircraft that conducted a missed approach at approximately 07:43am local time this morning whilst attempting to land at the Asaba airport and ended up landing on a concrete road still under construction in the Ogwashi Uku area, near Asaba.
“Happily, eyewitnesses at the scene indicate that all occupants safely exited the aircraft and were transported to Asaba by road.
“The aircraft had four (4) crew members on board and there were no injuries to them. I am also informed that the aircraft subsequently departed the location at approximately 11:02 GMT and returned to Lagos without obtaining the requisite regulatory approval.
“I also understand that Air Traffic Control was notified only after the aircraft had become airborne. In other words, the aircraft had no clearance to take off again,” he stated.
Describing the development as a serious breach of aviation regulations and security procedures, Keyamo said the federal government would ensure that all aspects of the incident were thoroughly investigated and that appropriate sanctions would be imposed where necessary.
He said the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority grounded the aircraft upon its arrival in Lagos pending the outcome of investigations.
The authority has also placed the flight under regulatory review and commenced inquiries into the circumstances that led to the occurrence and the subsequent departure of the aircraft.
Keyamo disclosed that the NCAA was working with relevant stakeholders, including the aircraft operator and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, to establish the full facts surrounding the incident.
He added that authorities were taking necessary actions, including a detailed review of the operator’s airworthiness, maintenance, operational and flight records as part of their statutory oversight responsibilities.
Meanwhile, the NCAA confirmed that all four crew members aboard the privately operated aircraft were safe.
In a statement issued by Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection Michael Achimugu, the authority said it had received preliminary reports concerning the incident in the vicinity of Asaba and confirmed that no injuries had been reported.
The NCAA stated that the aircraft subsequently landed on a roadway in the Ogwashi Uku area near Asaba and that reports from personnel at the scene indicated all occupants safely exited the aircraft and were transported to Asaba by road.
The authority said preliminary information showed that the aircraft later departed the location at approximately 1102 GMT and returned to Lagos without obtaining the requisite regulatory approval.
“The Authority has also been informed that Air Traffic Control was notified only after the aircraft had become airborne. This action constitutes a violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) and is currently under investigation by the Authority,” the NCAA said.
“Upon its arrival in Lagos, the NCAA immediately grounded the aircraft pending the outcome of its investigation.
“The flight crew has been placed under regulatory review while the NCAA conducts further inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the occurrence and the subsequent unauthorised departure of the aircraft.”
JKNewsMedia.com also reports that Achimugu said the NCAA had formally notified the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau of the occurrence and was coordinating with relevant aviation stakeholders, including the operator and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
He added that the NCAA had suspended the operator’s Permit for Non Commercial Flights.
“The Authority will review all operational, airworthiness, maintenance and flight related records as part of its statutory responsibilities and will take further enforcement action in accordance with applicable aviation regulations,” he also said.
Achimugu reiterated that the NCAA remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety, security and regulatory compliance within the Nigerian aviation sector.
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