The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released its preliminary report on the June 10, 2026 incident in which a business jet mistakenly landed on a paved road under construction near Asaba Airport instead of the airport runway.
The aircraft, a Bombardier Challenger 601-3A with registration N989BC operated by VMO Aero Limited, was flying from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to Asaba under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).
According to the NSIB, the crew aborted their first approach before making a second approach to Runway 11.
Although the aircraft’s navigation system indicated it was correctly aligned with the runway, it landed on the nearby road under construction.
Investigators have recovered and successfully downloaded the aircraft’s Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR).
The investigation also includes flight crew and witness statements, Air Traffic Control recordings, operational records, and aircraft examinations.
The Bureau said the preliminary report only presents the facts established so far and does not determine the cause of the incident or assign blame.
A final report containing detailed findings, conclusions, and safety recommendations will be released after the investigation is completed.
There were seven people on board—four crew members and three passengers—and no injuries were reported.
After the landing, the passengers safely disembarked, and the aircraft later returned to Lagos.
A post-flight inspection revealed damage to the aircraft’s left nose-wheel assembly.