Aftermath of Ibadan runway incident: NCAA suspends airline as investigation begins

The Nigeria Civil Authority (NCAA) says it has suspended the permit of Mattini Airline Services Ltd after its aircraft overshot the runway at Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on Friday.

Mr Michael Achimugu, Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection (NCAA) said the suspension of the airline will be in force pending the conclusion of investigations into the “runway excursion” involving a Challenger CL 601 aircraft, operated by the firm.

Persecondnews reported that the private jet which departed Abuja with 15 persons on board including 12 VIPs and three crew members overshot the runway while landing at the on Friday.

However, there were no fatalities as the passengers and crew members were successfully evacuated.

In November 2023, a private jet conveying the Minister of Power, Chief Bayo Adelabu and others from Abuja to Ibadan also crash landed at the same airport but no casualty.

“The suspension would continue until clarifications were made that the conditions of the Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) had been adhered to,” Achimugu said in a statement on Saturday, a copy of which was obtained by Persecondnews.

He assured NCAA’s commitment to the safety of air travellers in line with best global practices, adding that, the Authority had begun a safety and economic audit of all private jet operations in Nigeria.

“NCAA is aware of the runway excursion involving a Challenger CL 601 aircraft, operated by Mattini Airline Services Limited, with registration marks N580KR at Ibadan Airport on 26th January, 2024.

“Mattini Airline Services Limited holds a valid Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF). In line with statutory provisions, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched an investigation into the occurrence.

“While the NSIB is conducting the safety investigation, the NCAA has initiated an economic inquiry into the operation of the aircraft viz-a-viz the terms and conditions of the PNCF as detailed in its Annexure.

“In the meantime, and in accordance with Sec 32 (4) of the Civil Aviation Act 2022, the NCAA has suspended the PNCF of Mattini Airline Services Limited with immediate effect,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has said it has begun investigation into the Ibadan incident.

Mrs Bimbo Olawunmi Oladeji, Director Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NSIB, said: “The aircraft, with 12 passengers and three crew members onboard was en-route Ibadan from Abuja.

“The aircraft, on final approach to landing Runway 22, Ibadan Airport overshot the runway. There was no fatality, as all passengers and crew were safely evacuated.

“The NSIB has deployed a Go Team to investigate the incident. As the investigating agency, NSIB needs and hereby solicits your assistance.

“We want the public to know that we would be amenable to receiving any video clip, relevant evidence, or information any members of the public may have of the serious incident; that can assist us with this investigation,” the statement read in part.

The Bureau urged the general public and press to respect the privacy of the people involved and NOT assume the cause of the serious incident until formal report is released. The Bureau will release the preliminary report as soon as possible,” NSIB said.