The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has released its preliminary report on the investigation into the June 10 incident in which a private jet landed on a road under construction in Ogwashi-Uku near Asaba, instead of the runway at Asaba Airport.
The aircraft, a Bombardier Challenger 601 operated by VMO Aero Limited, was on an Instrument Flight Rules flight from Lagos to Asaba with seven people on board, including four crew members and three passengers.
According to the NSIB, the crew aborted their first approach and repositioned for a second approach to Runway 11. The pilots reported that the aircraft’s navigation system indicated they were correctly aligned with the published RNAV approach.
However, the aircraft landed on a paved roadway under construction near the airport instead of the designated runway. No injuries were reported.
MUST READ: Tree Planting Campaign: Nigeria Steps up campaign Against Climate Change
After passengers disembarked, the aircraft was inspected and later flown back to Lagos. A post-flight examination revealed damage to the left nose-wheel assembly.
The NSIB says investigators have retrieved and downloaded the aircraft’s Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder, with technical analysis still ongoing.
The Bureau stresses that the preliminary report only presents factual information gathered so far, along with initial findings and immediate safety recommendations. It says the report does not determine the cause of the incident, noting that a final report with conclusions and additional safety recommendations will be released after the investigation is completed, in line with international aviation standards.
