The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has recovered the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) from the Bombardier Challenger CL-601 aircraft which landed and later departed without clearance from a roadway near Asaba, Delta State.
The aircraft, with registration number N989BC and operated by VMO Aero Limited, was reportedly on a flight from Lagos to Asaba when the occurrence took place on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
The Bureau’s Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Funke Adebayo-Arowojobe disclosed in a statement on Thursday that the bureau had immediately activated its emergency response procedures and deployed a team of investigators to the scene shortly after receiving notification of the incident.
According to the bureau, the recovered flight recorders have been secured for detailed analysis, while investigators are also obtaining operational, maintenance and air traffic control records relevant to the flight.
The NSIB said it is working closely with relevant stakeholders and authorities in accordance with the Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations as well as the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 13 provisions. It added that appropriate notifications had been made to the relevant state authorities as part of the investigation process.
The bureau noted that ongoing investigative activities would include the analysis of the recovered recorders, examination of technical and operational documents, interviews with relevant personnel and a review of additional evidence connected to the occurrence.
Commenting on the development, the Director General of NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., said: “The NSIB acted promptly following the occurrence on June 10, 2026. The immediate deployment of our investigative Go Team and the swift recovery of the Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder are critical steps that will help establish the facts of this incident.
“We are relieved that there were no reported fatalities or serious injuries. Our commitment remains the advancement of aviation safety in Nigeria”.
The NSIB also appealed to members of the public who witnessed the incident or possess photographs, videos, CCTV footage or other useful information to contact the bureau through its official channels.
According to the agency, the objective of the investigation is to determine the circumstances and contributing factors behind the occurrence and to make safety recommendations aimed at preventing a recurrence.
The bureau stressed that the investigation is strictly for transportation safety purposes and is not intended to apportion blame or determine liability.
It assured that further updates would be provided as significant developments emerge from the investigation.
