Why Business Jet Landed on Construction Road in Asaba Instead of the Runway, NSIB Report Reveals

July 10 () — The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has explained why a Bombardier Challenger 601-3A business jet landed on a paved construction road near Asaba Airport instead of on the airport’s runway.

The preliminary investigation report indicates that the aircraft’s navigation system showed it was correctly established on the published RNAV Runway 11 approach before the unintended landing.

Released on Friday, this report is the NSIB’s first official account of the June 10, 2026 incident involving the business jet registered as N989BC and operated by VMO Aero Limited.

The Bureau cautioned that investigations are ongoing, and no conclusions have yet been reached regarding the probable cause of the incident.

According to the NSIB, the aircraft departed Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight to Asaba Airport.

During the arrival phase, the crew initially discontinued their approach before repositioning for a second attempt at landing on Runway 11.

Investigators noted that the flight crew reported the aircraft’s navigation system indicated it was correctly aligned with the published RNAV Runway 11 approach.

However, despite this indication, the aircraft landed on a paved roadway under construction located close to the airport rather than on the designated runway.

The Bureau announced that investigators have successfully recovered and downloaded data from the aircraft’s Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) at its Transport Safety Laboratory in Abuja, which is a significant step toward understanding what occurred in the cockpit and during the aircraft’s final approach.

The ongoing investigation utilizes Air Traffic Control recordings, operational records, witness and crew statements, aircraft examinations, and other documentary evidence, while technical examinations and detailed analyses are also underway.

recalls that on June 10, 2026, the business jet, registered as N989BC and operated by VMO Aero Limited, was conducting an IFR flight from Lagos to Asaba Airport when the incident occurred during its arrival.

Fortunately, all seven occupants of the aircraft, comprising four crew members and three passengers, escaped unharmed.

After landing on the construction road, the aircraft was shut down and inspected, allowing the passengers to disembark safely.

It then vacated the roadway and flew back to Lagos without any further reported operational issues. However, a post-flight inspection later revealed damage to the aircraft’s left nose-wheel assembly.

In releasing the preliminary report, the NSIB stressed that it serves to present only the factual information established at this stage of the investigation, along with initial findings and immediate safety recommendations based on the evidence gathered so far.

The Bureau emphasized that the report does not assign blame or identify the causes or contributing factors behind the incident, noting that such determinations will only be made following a thorough analysis of all available evidence.

It also mentioned that the final investigation report, which will be issued in accordance with the provisions of ICAO Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, will include the Bureau’s detailed analysis, conclusions, probable causes, and any additional safety recommendations deemed necessary to prevent similar occurrences in the future.