NCAA Grounds Aircraft, Suspends Operator’s Permit After Unauthorised Take-off from Roadway

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded a privately operated aircraft and suspended the operator’s permit following an incident in which the jet made an emergency landing on a road near Asaba, Delta State, and subsequently departed for Lagos without regulatory clearance.

The aircraft, carrying four crew members, landed on a roadway in the Ogwashi-Uku area near Asaba after a failed landing attempt at Asaba Airport early on June 10, 2026. The NCAA confirmed that all occupants exited safely and no injuries were reported.

In a statement, NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, said preliminary reports indicated the aircraft executed a missed approach at approximately 7:43 a.m. local time before landing on the road. The crew was later transported to Asaba by road.

The NCAA further reported that the aircraft later took off from the road and flew to Lagos without obtaining the required approval from aviation authorities. Air Traffic Control was only notified after the aircraft had become airborne. The Authority described this as a violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) and has launched an investigation.

Upon the aircraft’s arrival in Lagos, the NCAA immediately grounded it pending the outcome of the investigation. The flight crew has been placed under regulatory review. Additionally, the NCAA has suspended the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF).

The Authority has formally notified the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and is coordinating with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the operator to establish the full circumstances of the incident.

The NCAA will conduct a comprehensive review of the aircraft’s operational history, including airworthiness, maintenance, and flight records. Further enforcement action will be taken if violations are confirmed.

Although the NCAA did not disclose the identity of the operator or the aircraft, Achimugu reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to enforcing aviation safety standards and ensuring strict regulatory compliance across the Nigerian aviation sector.