The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has taken firm action against the crew behind last month’s bizarre landing near Asaba Airport, suspending the pilots and grounding the aircraft involved.
NCAA Director-General Capt. Chris Najomo announced the sanctions Tuesday at the Airport Business Summit in Lagos. He said the jet’s Permit to Fly has been withdrawn and both pilots barred from operating in Nigerian airspace until investigations conclude.
The incident happened when a chartered aircraft touched down on a road under construction close to Asaba Airport in Delta State. The unusual landing raised alarm across the aviation sector and prompted calls for a full probe.
While the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau began the initial safety review, Najomo said the regulatory side of the case is now with the NCAA. The agency has started its own independent inquiry into what went wrong.
“The NSIB has handed the investigation to us, and we are conducting our own inquiry,” Najomo stated. “As we speak, the aircraft has been grounded, the Permit to Fly suspended, and the pilots also suspended pending our findings.”
With 45 years of flying experience, Najomo called the event “highly unusual.” He added that he could not imagine mistaking a road for a runway.
The Department of State Services has also joined the investigation, according to Najomo. He noted that authorities are exploring all possible angles until a final report is released.
At the summit, Najomo stressed that the NCAA remains focused on fairness in aviation. He promised to address complaints about monopoly and anti-competitive practices, saying the regulator’s duty is to protect passengers, keep airlines viable, and ensure reasonable charges.
The Asaba incident remains under investigation by both the NCAA and DSS.
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