NCAA Suspends Asaba Incident Pilots Pending Investigation

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the pilots involved in the recent chartered aircraft incident near Asaba Airport in Delta State, preventing them from operating in Nigerian airspace until investigations are completed. The aviation regulator also grounded the aircraft involved and suspended its Permit to Fly as part of the measures taken after the incident.

NCAA Director-General Capt. Chris Najomo announced the action during the Airport Business Summit in Lagos. He explained that the authority began its own investigation after the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) completed its initial safety review and transferred the regulatory side of the matter to the NCAA.

“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,” Najomo said.

The Asaba aircraft incident occurred when a chartered plane landed on a road under construction close to the airport, creating concerns among aviation professionals and prompting demands for a full review. Najomo described the situation as unusual, stating that with his 45 years of flying experience, he would not mistake a road for a runway.

“As a pilot with 45 years of experience, I will not see a road and land on it,” he said.

The NCAA chief added that investigators were considering all possible explanations, including factors beyond pilot error. The Department of State Services (DSS) has also joined the investigation and is conducting a separate inquiry.

Najomo said the NCAA investigation would help determine the cause of the incident while ensuring safety standards remain a priority. He also assured aviation operators that the regulator would continue addressing concerns about monopoly and unfair competition within the industry.

The authority, he said, remains focused on protecting passengers, supporting airline growth and maintaining a fair aviation environment.

What further safety measures should aviation authorities introduce to prevent similar incidents?