The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) suspends the pilot and first officer of a private jet after the aircraft landed on a road in Delta State, and it grounds the aircraft while an investigation is ongoing. NCAA Director General Captain Chris Najomo announces the action on Wednesday while speaking to journalists. The incident involves a private jet with registration number N989BC operated by VMO Aero Ltd. Sources say the aircraft made the unusual road landing in June at Ogwashi-Uku/Asaba area in Delta State with four crew members on board, then departed and later returned to Lagos.
The NCAA states it is conducting an inquiry into how the landing was carried out and whether required regulatory clearances were obtained. Reports also say the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) handed the case over to the NCAA for further action, and that the aircraft’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) is suspended. NCAA officials add that the suspended pilots are barred from operating in Nigerian airspace until the investigation concludes, and that the suspension and grounding remain in place pending the outcome of all inquiries.
