NCAA Suspends Pilots, Grounds Aircraft Following Asaba Landing Incident

According to Ireporter Online, the aviation regulatory body also grounded the aircraft involved in the incident and suspended its Permit to Fly as part of measures taken following the unusual landing.

The Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, disclosed this during the Airport Business Summit held in Lagos, stating that the authority had commenced a separate regulatory investigation after the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) concluded its initial safety assessment and handed over the matter.

Najomo explained that the aircraft remains grounded while the operating crew has been suspended from flying until the NCAA completes its investigation and reaches a conclusion.

“The investigation is still ongoing. The NSIB has handed the investigation to us, the NCAA, and we are conducting our own inquiry. As we speak, the aircraft has been grounded, the Permit to Fly has been suspended, and the pilots have also been suspended pending the outcome of our investigation,” he stated.

The sanctions followed an incident last month in which a chartered aircraft reportedly landed on a road under construction close to Asaba Airport, sparking concerns within the aviation industry and prompting calls for a thorough investigation.

Reacting to the development, Najomo, who has over four decades of flying experience, described the incident as unusual, questioning how an experienced pilot could confuse a road with an airport runway.

“As a pilot with 45 years of experience, I will not see a road and land on it,” he said, adding that investigators were examining all possible factors surrounding the incident before making a final determination.

The NCAA boss further revealed that the Department of State Services (DSS) had joined the investigation and was conducting a parallel inquiry to determine whether factors beyond pilot error contributed to the incident.

“We are also looking at other possible motives. The DSS has become involved and is carrying out its own investigation too. Until the report is released, that remains the position,” Najomo added.

The NSIB had earlier commenced investigations immediately after the incident before transferring the regulatory aspect of the case to the NCAA.

Speaking further at the summit, Najomo assured stakeholders that the aviation regulator would continue to address concerns relating to unfair competition, monopoly and anti-competitive practices within the sector.

He stressed that the NCAA remains committed to maintaining safety standards, protecting passengers’ interests, ensuring fair competition among operators and promoting the growth and sustainability of Nigeria’s aviation industry.

The regulator reaffirmed its determination to enforce strict safety measures while creating an environment that supports transparency, efficiency and competitiveness in the aviation sector.