The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released its preliminary report into the serious incident involving a Bombardier Challenger 601-3A aircraft (registration N989BC) operated by VMO Aero Limited, revealing that the aircraft landed on a paved roadway under construction near Asaba Airport instead of Runway 11 despite the flight crew reporting that the aircraft was correctly established on the published RNAV approach.
The incident occurred on June 10, 2026, during an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to Asaba Airport.
According to the Bureau, the aircraft discontinued its initial approach before repositioning for a second approach to Runway 11. The flight crew reported that the aircraft’s navigation displayed indicated it was properly aligned with the published RNAV Runway 11 approach. However, the aircraft touched down on a nearby paved roadway under construction rather than the airport runway.
There were seven people on board; four crew members and three passengers, and no injuries were recorded.
Following the landing, the aircraft was shut down and inspected before the passengers safely disembarked. The aircraft later departed the roadway and returned to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, without any further operational abnormalities. A post-flight inspection, however, revealed damage to the left nose-wheel assembly.
NSIB disclosed that investigators have reviewed information from the flight crew, witnesses, Air Traffic Control and operational records, aircraft documentation, and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR), both of which were successfully retrieved and downloaded at the Bureau’s Transport Safety Laboratory in Abuja. Technical examinations and detailed analysis are continuing.
The Bureau noted that the preliminary report presents only factual information established so far, including initial findings and immediate safety recommendations based on evidence currently available. It does not determine the probable cause of the occurrence or identify contributing factors, as the investigation remains ongoing.
NSIB said a final report containing detailed analysis, conclusions, and additional safety recommendations will be released upon completion of the investigation in line with ICAO Annex 13 provisions.
The preliminary report is available on the NSIB website for public access.