NCAA suspends pilots, grounds aircraft over Asaba landing incident.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the pilots involved in the recent Asaba Airport incident from operating in Nigerian airspace pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.

Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, said both the pilot-in-command and the second-in-command have been barred from flying, while the aircraft involved has also been grounded.
Speaking at the Airport Business Summit (ABSE 2026) in Lagos, Najomo explained that the suspension was a precautionary measure to allow for a thorough investigation after the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) transferred the matter to the NCAA. He added that the aircraft would remain grounded until the investigation is concluded.
According to Najomo, the decision is necessary to preserve the integrity of the investigative process and ensure aviation safety. He expressed surprise over the circumstances of the incident, noting that in his 45 years as a pilot, it is unusual for a pilot to mistake a road for a runway. He also disclosed that the Department of State Services (DSS) is participating in the investigation to determine what led to the incident.
The NCAA boss further announced that the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) has been suspended. Reaffirming the authority’s commitment to aviation safety and regulatory oversight, Najomo said appropriate regulatory actions would be taken after the investigation. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on June 10, a VMO Aero-operated Bombardier Challenger 601-3A reportedly landed on a road under construction near Asaba Airport before later departing for Lagos.