VMO Aero Says Asaba Jet Crew Aborted Unstable Approach Before Roadway Landing

VMO Aero has given its first detailed account of the Asaba aircraft incident, saying the crew of its Bombardier Challenger CL-601 discontinued an initial approach because it was unstable before the aircraft later landed on a roadway near the airport.

NaijaTrend earlier reported the recovery of the aircraft’s cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau here.

According to Premium Times, VMO Aero said the aircraft left Lagos for Asaba on June 10 but encountered difficulties while approaching the airport. Oluwaseun Ayodeji, the company’s accountable manager, said the flight crew determined that the initial approach was unstable and discontinued it.

The company said the crew made another approach before the aircraft eventually landed on a roadway running parallel to the airport runway. It said none of the occupants was injured and no property damage was recorded.

VMO Aero added that it is cooperating with aviation authorities, including the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, as they review the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The NCAA had earlier grounded the aircraft and suspended VMO Aero’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight following the incident. The regulator also raised questions about the aircraft’s later departure to Lagos without required approval, saying the issue would form part of its review.

The NSIB has already recovered the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder, which investigators are expected to analyse alongside operational, maintenance and air traffic control records.

Sources: Premium Times; NaijaTrend