NCAA suspends pilots, grounds aircraft over runway incident
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has suspended the flight crew involved in the recent Asaba airport incident and barred them from operating in Nigerian airspace. The Authority also grounded the aircraft and suspended its Permit to Fly pending the outcome of investigations.
The Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, disclosed this on the sidelines of the Airport Business Summit in Lagos on Tuesday.
He confirmed that the aircraft involved in the incident had been grounded and its permit suspended.
*Incident background*
Last month, a chartered jet landed on a road under construction near Asaba Airport in Delta State. The unusual landing sparked concern within the aviation industry, with stakeholders calling for a thorough investigation.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, commenced an investigation into the incident shortly after it occurred.
According to Najomo, while the NSIB carried out the initial safety investigation, the regulatory aspect of the case has now been transferred to the NCAA, which has commenced its own independent inquiry.
He further disclosed that the Department of State Services, DSS, has joined the ongoing probe.
*‘Highly unusual’*
The NCAA boss, who said he has over 45 years of flying experience, described the incident as highly unusual.
“The investigation is still ongoing. The NSIB has handed the investigation to us, the NCAA, and we are conducting our own inquiry. As we speak, 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. As a pilot with 45 years of experience, I will not see a road and land on it,” Najomo said.
“We are also looking at other possible motives. The DSS has become involved and is carrying out its own investigation too. Until the report is released, that remains the position.”
*Summit remarks*
Speaking at the Airport Business Summit, Najomo described the event as an important platform for stakeholders to deliberate on critical issues affecting the aviation industry.
He assured operators that the NCAA would thoroughly examine concerns over monopoly and anti-competitive practices within the sector, stressing that the regulator remains committed to fostering a level playing field.
“We will carefully look into complaints relating to monopoly and anti-competitive practices. Our responsibility is to ensure fair competition, keep airlines commercially viable, protect passengers’ interests and ensure that charges within the industry remain reasonable,” he said.