What happened
On June 10, 2026, at approximately 08:57 local time, a Bombardier Challenger 601-3A aircraft with registration N989BC, operated by VMO Aero Limited, touched down on a paved roadway under construction in the vicinity of Asaba Airport (DNAS), Delta State, Nigeria. The flight had departed from Murtala Muhammed International Airport (DNMM) in Lagos earlier that morning under Instrument Flight Rules.
The aircraft carried seven persons: two pilots, an observer pilot, one cabin crew member, and three passengers. During the approach to Asaba, the crew encountered intermittent cloud cover with a base estimated between 300 and 400 feet. The Pilot-in-Command (PIC) reported losing visual reference to the runway environment briefly before requesting and executing a right-hand orbit.
After repositioning, the crew resumed the Instrument Navigation (RNAV) approach for Runway 11. According to the PIC and Second-in-Command (SIC), navigation indications showed the aircraft aligned with the published path, and they identified a paved surface ahead as the runway. The Observer Pilot provided conflicting accounts, stating he saw a telecommunications mast and activated terrain warnings, but ultimately confirmed the surface was the intended runway when questioned by the PIC.
The aircraft landed on the construction road instead of Runway 11. Upon stopping near parked construction equipment, the crew realized the error. An external inspection revealed no obvious structural damage to the main fuselage or landing gear, though a post-flight examination later identified damage to the left nose-wheel assembly. The passengers disembarked safely. The crew then coordinated with company management and an individual claiming to be the Airport Manager before manually repositioning the aircraft and departing for Lagos.
The investigation
The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) was notified by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and dispatched investigators. This document constitutes a Preliminary Report, meaning it contains only facts established to date and does not determine causes or contributing factors.
Key investigative findings include:
- The aircraft's Flight Management System contained the Asaba Airport and RNAV approach data.
- There were discrepancies noted during pre-flight FMS programming by the Observer Pilot, which the crew stated were corrected.
- Air Traffic Control (ATC) voice recordings at Asaba Tower were unserviceable during the incident; communications were reconstructed from operational records.
- The Asaba Airport Manager and emergency services were notified, but conflicting accounts exist regarding whether rescue personnel physically reached the aircraft before it departed the site.
Findings
As this is a preliminary report, no final findings or contributing factors have been determined. However, the following facts are established:
- No injuries were sustained by any of the seven occupants.
- The aircraft landed on an under-construction roadway near Asaba Airport.
- The crew assessed the aircraft as serviceable after landing and departed without external assistance.
Safety action
The NSIB issued three immediate safety recommendations: 1. To the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), in coordination with NAMA and FAAN: Develop national procedures for managing aircraft that land outside the intended runway, covering responsibilities, evidence preservation, and technical assessments. 2. To the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN): Strengthen aerodrome emergency response procedures to ensure prompt attendance and site security for such incidents. 3. To the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA): Review the reliability and redundancy of ATC voice recording systems at controlled aerodromes to prevent loss of critical communication data.
The investigation remains ongoing, with further technical examinations of the aircraft, flight recorders, and navigation systems planned.