Asaba Airport Drama: NCAA bans American pilot

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has banned an American pilot involved in a recent aviation incident at Asaba Airport from flying in Nigeria’s airspace.

The authority also suspended the aircraft’s First Officer while investigations continue.

The incident happened on June 10, 2026, when a Bombardier Challenger 601-3A aircraft operated by VMO Aero Limited reportedly landed on an unfinished roadway instead of the runway at Asaba Airport.

Speaking during the Airport Business Summit in Lagos, NCAA Director-General, Captain Chris Najomo, said the agency had taken enforcement action after receiving the case from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).

According to Najomo, the pilot in command has been removed from flight duties in Nigeria and is no longer allowed to operate in the country’s airspace. He added that the aircraft has been grounded and its Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) suspended.

Najomo explained that while the NSIB handled the initial safety investigation, the NCAA is now conducting its own regulatory investigation to determine whether aviation rules were violated.

He also disclosed that the Department of State Services (DSS) has joined the investigation because of the seriousness of the incident.

He said the aircraft will remain grounded and the pilots suspended until the investigations are completed.

Najomo noted that investigators would examine all possible factors that may have contributed to the incident.

He assured stakeholders and the travelling public that the NCAA would carry out a thorough and transparent investigation and take appropriate action based on its findings.

Speaking on the Airport Business Summit, Najomo described the event as an important platform for discussing challenges facing Nigeria’s aviation sector.

He said the NCAA would also address concerns raised by operators about monopoly and anti-competitive practices in the industry. According to him, the authority remains committed to ensuring fair competition, protecting passengers, supporting airline sustainability and preventing excessive charges across the aviation sector.

The incident sparked widespread concern within the aviation industry after reports suggested that the flight crew mistook a roadway for the airport runway while landing.

The NSIB had earlier launched a safety investigation to determine the cause of the occurrence in line with international aviation standards.