The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the pilots involved in the controversial June 10, 2026 aircraft landing near Asaba Airport and grounded the aircraft pending the conclusion of investigations.
NCAA Director-General, Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, disclosed this on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the 11th Airport Business Summit and Expo in Lagos, saying the aircraft’s Permit to Fly had also been suspended.
The incident occurred when a Bombardier Challenger 601-3A charter aircraft landed on a road under construction near Asaba Airport, Delta State, instead of the airport runway. No casualty was recorded, but the unusual landing triggered safety concerns and investigations.
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Najomo said the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), which began the initial safety probe, had handed over the regulatory aspect of the case to the NCAA, which is now conducting its own investigation. He added that the Department of State Services (DSS) had joined the probe.
“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,” Najomo said.
The NCAA boss, who cited his more than 45 years of flying experience, described the incident as highly unusual, saying investigators were examining all possible angles before reaching a conclusion.
Meanwhile, Najomo assured aviation stakeholders that the NCAA would continue to address concerns over monopoly and anti-competitive practices in the sector, stressing the regulator’s commitment to fair competition, passenger protection and a sustainable aviation industry.