Keyamo Orders Probe as Private Jet Lands on Construction Road, Takes Off Without Clearance

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has ordered a full-scale investigation into an incident involving a private aircraft that reportedly landed on a road under construction near Asaba before taking off again without regulatory approval.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Keyamo described the development as a serious violation of aviation safety regulations and security protocols, revealing that the aircraft has been grounded pending the outcome of investigations.

According to the minister, the aircraft carried out a missed approach at about 7:43 a.m. local time while attempting to land at Asaba International Airport but eventually touched down on a concrete road under construction in the Ogwashi-Uku area near Asaba.

Fortunately, all four crew members aboard the aircraft escaped unhurt.

“I have received reports of the private aircraft that conducted a missed approach while attempting to land at Asaba Airport and ended up landing on a concrete road still under construction in the Ogwashi-Uku area. Happily, all occupants safely exited the aircraft and there were no injuries,” Keyamo stated.

The minister, however, expressed concern that the aircraft later departed the scene and flew back to Lagos without obtaining the necessary regulatory clearance.

According to him, the aircraft took off at approximately 11:02 GMT, while Air Traffic Control authorities were only informed after it had already become airborne.

“In other words, the aircraft had no clearance to take off again,” he said.

The minister disclosed that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has grounded the aircraft and commenced a regulatory review to determine the circumstances surrounding both the emergency landing and the unauthorised departure.

He added that the NCAA is collaborating with relevant stakeholders, including the aircraft operator and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, to establish the full facts of the incident.

As part of immediate enforcement measures, the regulator has suspended the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) and will review all operational, maintenance, airworthiness and flight records connected to the aircraft.

“The NCAA will take further enforcement action in accordance with applicable aviation regulations,” Keyamo stated.

The minister also revealed that security agencies have taken the crew members into custody to assist with ongoing investigations.

The incident has sparked fresh concerns about aviation safety compliance and regulatory oversight, with authorities promising a thorough investigation into the unusual landing and subsequent unauthorised takeoff.