The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released its preliminary report into the serious incident involving a Bombardier Challenger 601-3A business jet that mistakenly landed on a paved roadway under construction near Asaba Airport on June 10, 2026 .
The aircraft, registered N989BC and operated by VMO Aero Limited, was conducting an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to Asaba Airport when the incident occurred .
Erroneous Landing on Wrong Surface
According to the NSIB report, the flight crew discontinued their initial approach to Asaba Airport before repositioning for a second approach to Runway 11 . The crew reported that the aircraft’s navigation indications displayed the aircraft as correctly established on the published RNAV Runway 11 approach .
However, instead of touching down on the designated runway, the aircraft landed on a paved road under construction located in the vicinity of the airport .
Seven Occupants On Board, No Injuries
The NSIB confirmed that seven people were on board the aircraft — four crew members and three passengers . No injuries were recorded during the incident .
Following the landing, the aircraft was shut down and inspected while passengers disembarked safely . The aircraft subsequently departed from the roadway and returned to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, without further reported operational abnormalities . A post-flight examination, however, identified damage to the aircraft’s left nose-wheel assembly .
Investigation Ongoing
The NSIB stated that investigators have retrieved and successfully downloaded the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) at its Transport Safety Laboratory in Abuja .
The Bureau noted that the preliminary report contains factual information gathered during the early stages of the investigation, including flight crew and witness accounts, operational and air traffic control records, and examination of the aircraft .
The NSIB emphasised that the report does not assign blame or determine the probable cause of the incident, as technical examinations and further analysis remain ongoing . A final report containing detailed analysis and conclusions will be released upon completion of the investigation in line with ICAO Annex 13 provisions .
Keyamo: Incident Now a Security Concern
Earlier, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, dismissed speculation that the aircraft suffered mechanical failure . He disclosed that the aircraft had received clearance to land at Asaba Airport before controllers lost visual contact with it .
Speaking on Politics Tonight, a TVC programme, Keyamo explained: “The tower in Asaba cleared them to land. After about two minutes, the tower called and said, ‘Where is your location? I can’t see you again. I can’t see you on the tarmac’… They said they landed on a roadway that they saw. It happened that it was a construction site very close to the airport. They saw a beautiful road there that looked like a runway and landed there” .
Keyamo added that the matter has been referred to security agencies, describing it as a national security concern .
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