The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has received preliminary reports concerning an incident involving a privately operated aircraft in the vicinity of Asaba, Delta State, on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
This was contained in a press statement issued by the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu.
Preliminary Information
Available information indicates that the aircraft executed a missed approach at approximately 7:43 a.m. local time while attempting to land at Asaba Airport.
The aircraft subsequently landed on a roadway in the Ogwashi-Uku area near Asaba. Reports from personnel at the scene indicate that all occupants safely exited the aircraft and were transported to Asaba by road.
The aircraft had four crew members on board. As of the time of filing this report, no injuries to crew members or other occupants had been reported.
Aircraft Movement
Preliminary information available to the Authority indicates that the aircraft later departed the location at approximately 11:02 GMT and returned to Lagos without obtaining the requisite regulatory approval. The NCAA was also informed that Air Traffic Control was notified only after the aircraft had already become airborne.
According to the Authority, this action constitutes a violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) and is currently under investigation.
Regulatory Response
Upon the aircraft’s arrival in Lagos, the NCAA immediately grounded it pending the outcome of its investigation.
The flight crew has also been placed under regulatory review as the Authority conducts further enquiries into the circumstances surrounding both the occurrence and the subsequent unauthorised departure of the aircraft.
The NCAA has formally notified the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) of the incident and is coordinating with relevant aviation stakeholders, including the aircraft operator and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), to establish the full circumstances surrounding the event.
As an interim measure, the NCAA has suspended the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flights (PNCF).
The Authority stated that it will review all operational, airworthiness, maintenance, and flight-related records as part of its statutory responsibilities and will take further enforcement actions in accordance with applicable aviation regulations.
The NCAA reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety, security, and regulatory compliance within Nigeria’s aviation sector.
