The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released the preliminary report on its ongoing investigation into the serious incident involving a Bombardier Challenger 601-3A aircraft with nationality and registration marks N989BC, operated by VMO Aero Limited.
NSIB in a statement signed by Mrs Funke Adebayo-Arowojobe,
Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance,
Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau explained that the occurrence took place on 10 June 2026 during an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to Asaba Airport, Delta State.
Adebayo-Arowojobe noted in the statement that during the approach to Asaba Airport, the aircraft discontinued its initial approach and repositioned for a second approach to Runway 11 as the flight crew reported that the aircraft navigation indications displayed the aircraft as established on the published RNAV Runway 11 approach.
According to the statement, the aircraft subsequently landed on a paved roadway under construction in the vicinity of Asaba Airport instead of the intended runway. There were seven occupants on board, comprising four crew members and three passengers, and no injuries were recorded.
She stated that following the landing, the aircraft was shut down and inspected, while the passengers disembarked and after that,
the aircraft subsequently departed from the roadway and returned to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, without further reported operational abnormalities.
The NSIB Director Public Affairs and Family Assistance stated further that a post-flight examination identified damage to the left nose-wheel assembly, while the preliminary report provides information gathered during the early stages of the investigation, including information obtained from flight crew and witness accounts, operational and Air Traffic Control records, post-occurrence examination of the aircraft, documents received, and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR).
“The recorders were retrieved and downloaded at the Bureau’s Transport Safety Laboratory in Abuja, Technical examinations and further analysis remain ongoing.
The preliminary report is available for download on the NSIB website for members of the public and the media”, Adebayo-Arowojobe noted.
This is just as the Bureau reiterated that the preliminary report contains the factual information established during the investigation to date, including Initial Findings based on the evidence currently available and Immediate Safety Recommendations arising from safety issues identified at this stage of the investigation.
Adebayo-Arowojobe emphasised that the report does not include analysis or conclusions regarding the causes or contributing factors associated with the occurrence, as the investigation remains ongoing.
She said the Bureau will publish its Final Report, including its analysis, conclusions, and further safety recommendations where appropriate, upon completion of the investigation in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
