The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has confirmed that a private jet mistakenly landed on a road under construction near Asaba Airport, Delta State, after abandoning its first landing attempt.
In its preliminary report released Friday, the Bureau said the Bombardier Challenger 601-3A, operated by VMO Aero Limited, was flying from Lagos to Asaba under Instrument Flight Rules when the incident occurred on June 10.
According to investigators, the crew discontinued their initial approach, repositioned for Runway 11, and believed they were aligned with the published RNAV approach.
Navigation systems indicated the aircraft was on course, but instead of the runway, the jet touched down on a paved construction road close to the airport.
The aircraft carried seven people, four crew members and three passengers all of whom disembarked safely with no injuries.
After inspection, the jet departed the roadway and flew back to Lagos without further operational issues, though damage was later found on the left nose-wheel assembly.
The NSIB noted that its findings were based on crew reports, witness accounts, air traffic control records, and data retrieved from the Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder.
Weeks earlier, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo dismissed speculation of mechanical failure, stressing that the pilots had clearance to land but mistakenly identified the construction site as a runway.
He described the matter as a “national security concern” now under review by security agencies.
The Bureau emphasized that the preliminary report only presents facts gathered so far and does not assign responsibility or determine the probable cause of the incident.
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