By Opeyemi Adelakun
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the pilots involved in the recent incident in which a chartered aircraft landed on a road near the Asaba Airport in Delta State, while also grounding the aircraft pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.
Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, announced the sanctions on Wednesday during the Airport Business Summit in Lagos, confirming that the aircraft’s Permit to Fly had also been suspended.
The incident occurred last month when the chartered jet landed on a road under construction close to the airport, prompting widespread concern within the aviation industry and calls for a thorough investigation.
Najomo explained that while the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) initially handled the safety investigation, the regulatory aspect of the case has now been transferred to the NCAA for an independent inquiry.
He also disclosed that the Department of State Services (DSS) has joined the investigation to examine other possible circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to the NCAA boss, the aircraft will remain grounded while the pilots remain suspended until investigations are concluded.
“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.
Drawing on his more than four decades of aviation experience, he described the occurrence as highly unusual, saying he could not understand how an experienced pilot could mistake a road for a runway.
Speaking further at the summit, Najomo assured industry stakeholders that the NCAA remains committed to promoting fair competition in the aviation sector and would carefully investigate complaints relating to monopoly and anti-competitive practices while protecting both operators and passengers.
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