Private jet carrying Minister of Power violated NCAA regulations – NSIB
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released a preliminary report stating that the private jet, which crash-landed at the Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan carrying the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, violated Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) regulations.
According to the report, the jet’s operator, Flints Aero Services Limited, breached its approved permissions by carrying passengers despite a Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) from the NCAA, which explicitly restricted such operations.
The NSIB emphasized the importance of strict adherence to the given permit as per Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations 2015 and urged the flight crew to have adequate experience in night-time flight operations.
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The crash resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft’s fuselage, landing gear, and flaps. Fortunately, all 10 individuals on board escaped injury, and the aircraft’s Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder remained intact.
In another incident report, the NSIB addressed a Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft owned by FLYFORVALUE Aviation Limited, which veered off the runway during landing at Port Harcourt Intl. Airport. All 68 passengers were safely disembarked.
The NSIB recommended strict adherence to airport operational hours, clearing of overgrown grass verges adjacent to runways, and ensuring compliance with flight limitations set by the NCAA.
In response to the matter, Bolaji Tunji, special assistant on media to the minister, emphasized that the minister does not own or operate an airline and expressed regret if the aircraft had indeed violated NCAA rules. Tunji also provided context for the minister’s need to travel via private jet in order to fulfill official duties.
It’s a relief that despite these incidents, there were no casualties, and the NSIB’s recommendations aim to enhance safety and compliance within the aviation sector.