A preliminary investigation has been released by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) following an unusual aviation incident in which a business jet mistakenly landed on a road under construction near Asaba Airport instead of the airport’s runway.
The incident happened on June 10, 2026, involving a Bombardier Challenger 601-3A aircraft with registration number N989BC, operated by VMO Aero Limited. The aircraft was flying from Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos to Asaba Airport under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).
According to the NSIB, the pilots initially attempted to land at Asaba Airport but decided to discontinue their first approach. They then repositioned the aircraft for a second attempt to land on Runway 11.
During the second approach, the flight crew believed they were correctly following the approved RNAV navigation procedure. They reported that the aircraft’s navigation system showed they were properly aligned with Runway 11. However, instead of landing on the airport runway, the aircraft touched down on a nearby paved road that was still under construction.
The NSIB said investigators have already recovered the aircraft’s Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR). Both devices were successfully downloaded and are currently being examined at the Bureau’s Transport Safety Laboratory in Abuja.
Investigators are also reviewing several other pieces of evidence, including statements from the pilots and witnesses, recordings from Air Traffic Control, aircraft operational records, maintenance documents, and physical inspections of the aircraft. Detailed technical analysis is still ongoing to determine exactly what happened.
The Bureau explained that the preliminary report only contains confirmed facts gathered during the early stages of the investigation. It also includes initial safety recommendations aimed at preventing similar incidents while the investigation continues.
NSIB emphasized that the report does not blame any individual or organization for the incident. It also does not state the exact cause or identify any contributing factors at this stage. A final report will be released after the investigation is completed. That report will include a full analysis, conclusions, and any additional safety recommendations, in line with international aviation investigation standards under ICAO Annex 13.
There were seven people on board the aircraft, including four crew members and three passengers. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident.
After landing, the aircraft was safely shut down and inspected before all passengers and crew disembarked without any problems. The aircraft later left the roadway and returned to Lagos without any further operational issues.
However, a post-flight inspection discovered damage to the aircraft’s left nose-wheel assembly. The damage is also being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
The NSIB says it will continue its work until all facts surrounding the incident have been carefully reviewed before releasing its final findings to the public.
