The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the pilots involved in the controversial landing near Asaba Airport and grounded the aircraft pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.
The regulator also suspended the aircraft’s Permit to Fly following the incident, which occurred last month when a chartered jet landed on a road under construction close to the airport in Delta State.
NCAA Director-General, Capt. Chris Najomo, announced the sanctions during the Airport Business Summit in Lagos. He explained that while the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) handled the initial safety investigation, the regulatory probe has now been taken over by the NCAA.
Najomo also disclosed that the Department of State Services (DSS) is participating in the investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the unusual landing.
He said, “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. As a pilot with 45 years of experience, I will not see a road and land on it.
“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.”
Speaking at the summit, Najomo further assured stakeholders that the NCAA would continue to promote fair competition in the aviation sector by addressing complaints of monopoly and anti-competitive practices while safeguarding the interests of both airlines and passengers.
