NCAA Grounds Aircraft That Landed On A Roadway, As Minister Keyamo Reacts
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has received preliminary reports concerning an occurrence involving a privately operated aircraft in the vicinity of Asaba, Delta State, on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
Available information indicates that the aircraft conducted a missed approach at approximately 0743 local time while attempting to land at Asaba.
Subsequently, the aircraft reportedly landed on a roadway in the Ogwashi-Uku area near Asaba. Reports received from personnel at the scene indicate that all occupants safely exited the aircraft and were transported to Asaba by road.
The aircraft had four (4) crew members on board. At this time, no injuries to passengers or crew have been reported.
Preliminary information available to the Authority indicates 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.
This action constitutes a violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) and is currently under investigation by the Authority.
Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director, Public Affairs & Consumer Protection says in a statement that 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.
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, the NCAA has suspended the operator’s permit for Non-Commercial flight (PNCF).
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.
The NCAA remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety, security, and regulatory compliance within the Nigerian aviation sector,” states Achimugu.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN) has been fully briefed on the reports concerning a private aircraft that conducted a missed approach while attempting to land at the Asaba Airport at approximately 07:43 a.m. local time today and subsequently ended up landing on a concrete road still under construction in the Ogwashi-Uku area, near Asaba, Delta State.
According to preliminary information, the aircraft was unable to access the airport’s runway but managed to land safely on an unfinished road. Eyewitness accounts indicate that all occupants of the aircraft disembarked safely and were subsequently conveyed by road to Asaba. The aircraft had four (4) crew members on board, and there were no injuries or fatalities recorded.
Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser On Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister says the Minister, while expressing gratitude that no lives were lost, described the incident and the events that followed as a matter of grave regulatory and security concern.
The aircraft subsequently departed the location at approximately 11:02 GMT and returned to Lagos without obtaining the requisite regulatory approval. It has further been established that Air Traffic Control was only notified after the aircraft was already airborne, implying that the flight departed without the necessary operational clearance.
“The Minister views this development as a serious breach of aviation regulations and security protocols. Consequently, the following immediate actions have been taken by the relevant aviation authorities:
The NCAA is working in close coordination with all relevant aviation stakeholders, including the aircraft operator and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), to establish the full facts surrounding the incident.
The NCAA has suspended the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) pending the outcome of the investigation.
In line with its statutory responsibilities, the NCAA will undertake a thorough review of all operational, airworthiness, maintenance, and flight-related records associated with the aircraft and operator, and will not hesitate to impose further enforcement actions as may be warranted under the applicable civil aviation regulations.
In addition, the Minister has been in contact with the relevant security agencies and has received assurances that the flight crew are currently in their custody and are fully cooperating with ongoing investigations.
The Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development reiterates the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to the highest standards of aviation safety, regulatory compliance, and national security. No individual or operator, irrespective of status, will be permitted to circumvent established aviation procedures designed to safeguard lives and maintain the integrity of Nigeria’s airspace system.
The Minister assures the public that a thorough and transparent investigation will be conducted and that all appropriate actions will be taken based on the findings,” says Moshood. .
