The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Wednesday said all four crew members on board a privately operated aircraft which conducted a missed approach at approximately 0743 local time while attempting to land at Asaba, Delta state are safe.
A statement issued by Director Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu disclosed that it received preliminary reports concerning an occurrence involving a privately operated aircraft in the vicinity of Asaba, and that no injuries to passengers or crew have been reported.
Subsequently, the aircraft reportedly landed on a roadway in the Ogwashi-Uku area near Asaba and reports received from personnel at the scene indicated that all occupants safely exited the aircraft and were transported to Asaba by road.
On the Aircraft movement, the Achimugu hinted that preliminary information available to it, indicated that the aircraft subsequently 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.
He noted: ““This action constitutes a violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) and is currently under investigation by the Authority.
“Upon its arrival in Lagos, the NCAA immediately grounded the aircraft pending the outcome of its investigation.
“The flight crew have been placed under regulatory review while the NCAA conducts further inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the occurrence and the subsequent unauthorized departure of the aircraft.”
Achimugu revealed that the NCAA has formally notified the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) of the occurrence and is coordinating with relevant aviation stakeholders, including the operator and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
In the interim, Achimugu added that the agency has suspended the operator’s permit for Non-Commercial flight (PNCF).
He said: “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.”