By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released the preliminary report on the serious incident involving a Bombardier Challenger 601-3A aircraft, registration N989BC, operated by VMO Aero Limited, which mistakenly landed on a paved roadway under construction near Asaba Airport in Delta State.
The incident occurred on June 10, 2026, during an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to Asaba Airport.
According to the report, the aircraft discontinued its initial approach to Asaba Airport and repositioned for a second approach to Runway 11. The flight crew reported that the aircraft’s navigation indications showed it was correctly established on the published RNAV Runway 11 approach before it landed on the roadway instead of the designated runway.
The aircraft had seven occupants on board, including four crew members and three passengers. No injuries were recorded.
Following the incident, the aircraft was shut down and inspected while passengers safely disembarked. It later departed the roadway and flew back to Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos without any further reported operational issues. However, a post-flight inspection revealed damage to the aircraft’s left nose-wheel assembly.
NSIB said the preliminary report is based on evidence gathered during the early stages of the investigation, including statements from the flight crew and witnesses, operational and air traffic control records, post-incident examination of the aircraft, relevant documents, and data recovered from the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR).
The Bureau disclosed that both recorders were successfully retrieved and downloaded at its Transport Safety Laboratory in Abuja, while technical examinations and further analysis are continuing.
It stressed that the preliminary report contains only factual information established so far, along with initial findings and immediate safety recommendations, and does not determine the cause of the incident or identify contributing factors.
NSIB said a final report, containing detailed analysis, conclusions and additional safety recommendations where necessary, will be released after the investigation is concluded in line with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 13 standards.
