Federal Government investigates plane's unexpected touchdown on Delta highway

The Federal Government has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding an aircraft's landing and subsequent takeoff on a roadway in the Ogwashi-Uku area, near Asaba, the Delta State capital, which occurred on Wednesday, as announced by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), through a social media post on X (Twitter).

n

According to Keyamo, the private aircraft in question conducted a missed approach at approximately 07:43 a.m. local time while attempting to land at the Asaba airport, ultimately landing on a concrete road still under construction in the Ogwashi-Uku area.

n

Fortunately, all occupants of the aircraft safely exited the plane and were transported to Asaba by road, as reported by eyewitnesses at the scene, with the aircraft having four crew members on board and no injuries sustained by them.

n

The aircraft later departed the location at approximately 11:02 GMT and returned to Lagos without obtaining the necessary regulatory approval, with Air Traffic Control only being notified after the aircraft had become airborne, meaning it had no clearance to take off again.

n

This incident is viewed as a serious breach of regulations and security, prompting the Minister to outline the actions taken in response, which include the immediate grounding of the aircraft by the NCAA upon its arrival in Lagos, pending the outcome of its investigation.

n

The NCAA has also placed the flight under regulatory review while conducting further inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident and the unauthorized departure of the aircraft, and is coordinating with relevant aviation stakeholders to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

n

The regulatory body has suspended the operator's permit for Non-Commercial flight (PNCF) and will review all operational, airworthiness, maintenance, and flight-related records as part of its statutory responsibilities.

n

Further enforcement action will be taken in accordance with applicable aviation regulations, and the Minister has spoken to relevant security agencies, who have assured him that the crew is in their custody and is assisting with their investigation.