Nigeria Suspends ValueJet Pilots Over Unauthorized Take-Off in Abuja
- Aviation
- August 6, 2025
- No Comment
- 332
By Oshuniran Sheriff Ola
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended two ValueJet pilots following an unauthorized take-off at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, citing a “reckless” breach of safety protocols that endangered public safety.
Capt. Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba departed Abuja for Lagos on Flight VM1600 (August 5, 2025) without obtaining mandatory take-off clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC). The incident was immediately flagged by the airport’s Tower, prompting an NCAA investigation.
In a statement, the regulator condemned the pilots’ actions:
“The crew embarked on a take-off roll without ATC clearance. This violation of air navigation regulations and neglect of duty endangered the flight, passengers, and airport personnel. Such disregard for procedure is intolerable.”
The NCAA underscored that pre-departure clearance is critical for coordinating air traffic at busy hubs like Abuja, preventing runway incursions or collisions. Both pilots’ licenses were suspended indefinitely pending a full investigation, with “appropriate sanctions” to follow under Nigerian aviation law.
The authority reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy toward safety violations. ValueJet has not yet commented on the suspensions amid growing passenger concerns.
