NCAA Grounds Aircraft as Keyamo Orders Probe Into Unauthorized Return to Lagos

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded a privately operated aircraft that made an emergency landing on a roadway near Asaba, Delta State, before allegedly returning to Lagos without regulatory clearance.
The incident, which has triggered a full-scale investigation, has also drawn the attention of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), who described the development as a serious breach of aviation regulations and security protocols.
According to the NCAA, the aircraft encountered difficulties while attempting to land at Asaba Airport on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Preliminary reports indicate that the crew executed a missed approach at about 7:43 a.m. local time before the aircraft eventually touched down on a concrete roadway under construction in the Ogwashi-Uku area near Asaba.
Despite the unusual landing, all four crew members aboard the aircraft safely evacuated and were transported by road to Asaba. No injuries or fatalities were recorded.
However, aviation authorities became alarmed when the aircraft reportedly departed the scene at approximately 11:02 GMT and flew back to Lagos without obtaining the mandatory regulatory approval.
The NCAA disclosed that Air Traffic Control was informed only after the aircraft had already taken off, a move it said contravenes the provisions of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs).
In a statement, NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, confirmed that the aircraft had been grounded immediately upon arrival in Lagos.
“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,” Achimugu stated.
He added that the Authority had notified the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and was collaborating with relevant stakeholders, including the operator and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
As part of its immediate enforcement measures, the NCAA suspended the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) pending the outcome of investigations.
The Authority also said it would scrutinise all operational, maintenance, airworthiness and flight records connected with the aircraft and its operator before deciding on further sanctions.
Reacting to the incident, Minister Keyamo expressed gratitude that no lives were lost but described the aircraft’s unauthorized departure from the landing site as a matter of grave concern.
According to Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, Keyamo has been fully briefed and has directed that no aspect of the incident be overlooked.
“The Minister views this development as a serious breach of aviation regulations and security protocols,” Moshood said.
He revealed that the Minister had engaged relevant security agencies and received assurances that the flight crew were in custody and cooperating with investigators.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to aviation safety, Keyamo warned that no operator, regardless of status, would be allowed to circumvent established procedures designed to protect lives and preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s airspace.
He assured Nigerians that a transparent investigation would be conducted and that all necessary actions would be taken based on the outcome of the findings.