Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau Releases Preliminary Report on Asaba Incident
The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has issued a preliminary report concerning the Bombardier Challenger CL-601 aircraft that experienced a road landing near Asaba Airport last month. The report details the sequence of events leading to the incident on June 10.
According to the findings, the aircraft, registered as N989BC and operated by VMO Aero Limited, was conducting an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight from Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos to Asaba Airport when the incident occurred. Initially, the flight crew aborted their first approach but subsequently repositioned for a second attempt to land at Runway 11.
Investigators revealed that the crew confirmed the aircraft’s navigation system was properly configured for the published Area Navigation (RNAV) Runway 11 approach path. However, the plane ultimately landed on a paved construction road adjacent to Asaba Airport instead of the intended runway.
At the time of the landing, there were seven individuals on board, consisting of four crew members and three passengers. Fortunately, the report stated that no injuries were reported during the incident.
Follow-Up Actions and Inspection Results
Following the landing, the NSIB indicated that the aircraft was secured and inspected at the location where it stopped, allowing passengers to disembark without incident. The aircraft subsequently departed from the construction road and returned to Lagos, reporting no further operational issues. However, a post-flight inspection revealed damage to the left nose wheel assembly.
The information for the preliminary report was gathered from multiple sources including the flight crew, witness accounts, air traffic control records, and flight documentation. Additionally, investigators analyzed data from the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR), which were retrieved at the NSIB’s Transportation Safety Laboratory in Abuja. Ongoing technical reviews and assessments are currently in progress.
Regulatory Response Following the Incident
In light of the incident, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) swiftly grounded the aircraft and temporarily suspended VMO Aero Limited’s Non-Commercial Flight Permit (PNCF). The regulatory body is also investigating the flight crew’s actions, particularly the decision to return to Lagos without securing the necessary regulatory clearances after the incident.
VMO Aero has stated that the crew aborted the initial unstable approach prior to making a second landing attempt. The company reiterated that there were no injuries or property damage involved and expressed their commitment to cooperating fully with the investigative process.
Additional Context and Official Statements
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, later commented on the findings, noting that preliminary investigations indicated no mechanical failure attributed to the aircraft. Although the plane had received clearance for landing at Asaba Airport, he clarified that the pilots mistakenly identified a nearby construction road as a runway. Relevant security agencies are also conducting their own investigations into the incident from a national security perspective.
The NSIB emphasized that the preliminary report aims to present factual information collected during the early stages of the investigation and does not assign blame or responsibility. A comprehensive final report, which may include safety recommendations, is anticipated upon the investigation’s conclusion.
