By Our Reporter
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the pilot and first officer of a private jet that controversially landed on a road in Delta State, barring both from operating in Nigerian airspace pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation.
The Director-General of the NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, announced the sanctions on Wednesday while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the Airport Business Summit in Lagos.
Najomo disclosed that the Authority has also grounded the aircraft and suspended its Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF), effectively preventing it from flying until investigations are concluded.
He explained that the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has transferred the case to the NCAA, which is now conducting a regulatory investigation into the incident.
“The investigation is still ongoing. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has handed the investigation to us. We are carrying out our own investigation. As we speak, the aircraft is grounded and the Permit for Non-Commercial Flight has been suspended,” Najomo said.
He stressed that the two pilots would remain suspended from flying within Nigerian airspace throughout the investigation.
“As a pilot for 45 years, I can’t see a road and land on it. We also have to examine the other motives behind the incident. The DSS is involved and conducting its own investigation. Until those investigations are concluded, the suspension will remain,” he added.
The incident occurred in June when a private jet, with registration number N989BC and operated by VMO Aero Ltd, landed on a road in the Ogwashi-Uku area of Delta State.
The aircraft, carrying four crew members, later departed the scene and flew back to Lagos without obtaining the required regulatory clearance, prompting investigations by aviation authorities and security agencies.
The Department of State Services (DSS) is also investigating the circumstances surrounding the unusual landing and the aircraft’s unauthorized departure.
