Asaba Incident Report: Observer Pilot Identified Roadway as Runway, Flight Captain tells NSIB

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) says the flight captain of the VMO Aero aircraft that landed on the roadway in Delta state, claimed the observer pilot identified the paved road as the runway before landing.

On June 10, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) grounded the private jet after landing on a roadway near Asaba, while attempting to land at the Asaba airport.

There were seven persons on board, comprising the pilot-in-command (PIC), also known as the flight captain, second-in-command (SIC), an observer pilot — who occupies the cockpit jump seat to monitor flight operations — one cabin crew member and three passengers.

In a preliminary report by the NSIB on Thursday, the bureau said that during the landing procedure, the jet was instructed and cleared to conduct an approach to runway 11 at Asaba airport, and the air traffic control (ATC) approved the flight crew’s request for a right orbit.

The report added that the aircraft carried out a missed approach and conducted a second attempt, which ended with the jet landing on the roadway.

According to NSIB, the commanding pilot and the second-in-command blamed the observer pilot, who was said to have identified the paved surface as the runway, after the flight captain enquired.

“During the Initial Approach into Asaba Airport, the flight crew requested a right orbit, which Air Traffic Control approved,” NSIB said.

“The aircraft discontinued the Initial Approach, carried out a Missed Approach and repositioned for a second Approach. The aircraft was cleared to land on Runway 11.

“The flight crew reported that the aircraft navigation indications displayed the aircraft established on the published RNAV Runway 11 approach during the second approach.

“The PIC and SIC reported that the Observer Pilot identified the paved surface ahead as the runway.”

However, the bureau said the observer pilot gave a different account on the second approach.

“He stated that the aircraft remained in cloud until late in the Approach, that the Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) generated repeated “TERRAIN, TERRAIN, PULL UP” alerts, and he observed that there was a telecommunications mast ahead of the aircraft, and instructed the PIC to discontinue the Approach and climb immediately,” NSIB said.

“The cabin crew stated that, during the Approach, one of the passengers became concerned after overhearing discussions between the pilots and asked whether one of the pilots was undergoing training.

“The passenger was informed that all three pilots on board were experienced captains. The cabin crew reported no abnormal cabin events before Touchdown.

“At about 08:57 h, the aircraft touched down on an under-construction paved roadway near the Asaba Airport.”

NSIB said the flight crew did not realise the aircraft had landed on a roadway until the jet came to a stop near parked construction equipment.

“According to the PIC, upon Touchdown and during the Landing Roll, the flight crew initially believed that the paved surface was part of runway 11 extension until after the aircraft came to a stop near parked construction equipment. At this time, the flight crew recognised that the aircraft had landed on a roadway under construction,” the bureau said.

“The Observer Pilot reported looking through the Captain’s side window, realised that the aircraft had landed on a roadway rather than Runway 11, and instructed the PIC to apply maximum braking as the aircraft approached the end of the paved portion of the roadway.

“The cabin crew stated that, after the aircraft had come to a stop, it became apparent to those on board that the aircraft had landed at a location other than the intended runway.”

‘FLIGHT CAPTAIN, OBSERVER PILOT DISAGREED BEFORE TAKEOFF’

The report said the observer pilot had discovered discrepancies in the programming of the flight management system (FMS) during preparation of the aircraft.

According to the NSIB probe, after the observer pilot brought his observation to the attention of the flight captain, the PIC told him not to interfere with the aircraft preparation since he was only on board in an observational capacity.

“The Observer Pilot reported that during the preparation of the aircraft, he observed what he believed were discrepancies in the programming of the Flight Management System and brought them to the attention of the flight crew,” the bureau said.

“According to the Observer Pilot, the PIC advised him that, as he was not rated on the aircraft type and was travelling solely in an observational capacity, he should not interfere with the aircraft preparation.

“Both the PIC and SIC acknowledged that discrepancies were encountered during FMS programming before departure and stated that the entries were subsequently corrected.”

The disagreement, according to the bureau, continued before departure, after the flight captain announced the aircraft’s cruising flight level, which the observer pilot was against.

“The cabin crew stated that she had requested the standard Pre-Flight Briefing before departure. During the Briefing, the PIC reportedly advised that the planned Cruising Level would be Flight Level (FL) 290,” NSIB said.

“According to the cabin crew, the Observer Pilot challenged the selected Cruising Level and stated it should be FL190, leading to a disagreement between the PIC and the Observer Pilot before departure.

“The cabin crew stated that she subsequently informed company management of the discussion before Take-off.”

On June 11, TheCable reported that the private aircraft is owned by Dunamis Church.