The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced that the pilots involved in the recent Asaba airport incident have been suspended from operating in Nigerian airspace pending investigations.
Capt. Chris Najomo, Director-General of the NCAA, stated that both the pilot-in-command and the second-in-command have been banned from flying in Nigeria and are currently under investigation.
Najomo disclosed this while speaking at the Airport Business Summit (ABSE 2026) on Wednesday in Lagos.
He explained that the suspension is a precautionary measure to facilitate a thorough investigation.
Najomo also mentioned that the aircraft involved has been grounded while the NCAA conducts its investigation, following the transfer of the case from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
“The investigation is ongoing. The aircraft is grounded, and the pilots are suspended until we conclude our inquiry,” Najomo said.
He emphasized that this decision was necessary to preserve the integrity of the investigative process and ensure aviation safety.
With 45 years as a pilot, Najomo expressed surprise at the circumstances of the incident, noting that pilots do not typically mistake a road for a runway.
“As a pilot for 45 years, I have never seen a pilot land on a road. We will examine all possible motives and factors surrounding this incident,” he added.
Najomo further disclosed that the Department of State Services (DSS) is participating in the investigation to determine what led to the event.
He stated that the suspension of the pilots and grounding of the aircraft will remain until investigations are complete and the appropriate regulatory actions are taken.
Additionally, Najomo revealed that the permit for non-commercial flight (PMF) of the operator has been suspended.
Speaking at ABSE 2026, Najomo reaffirmed NCAA’s commitment to maintaining safety standards and strengthening aviation regulation in Nigeria.
It was reported that on June 10, a Bombardier Challenger 601-3A operated by VMO Aero mistakenly landed on a road under construction near Asaba Airport.
Preliminary investigations indicated that after landing on the road, the pilot departed and later landed in Lagos Airport.
