The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has explained why a 75-year-old pilot was allowed to operate the private aircraft that recently landed on a road in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, saying the pilot and his 70-year-old co-pilot were licensed under United States aviation regulations.
Director of Operations, Licensing and Training at the NCAA, Capt. Don Spiff, disclosed that both pilots hold American licences and fly an American-registered aircraft, making them subject to U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules rather than Nigerian licensing regulations.
Speaking on Arise TV’s News Night programme, Spiff said the pilot was not considered overaged under U.S. regulations, even though Nigeria’s current age limit for commercial pilots is 65.
“The pilot is 75 and the co-pilot is 70. The pilot is not over-aged in America. This aircraft is American-registered and the pilots operate under American regulations,” he said.
He noted that aviation regulations are constantly evolving and revealed that Nigeria is reviewing its rules to allow pilots above 65 years to continue flying private aircraft, provided they pass required medical examinations.
Spiff also confirmed that the Nigerian Safety Investigation Board (NSIB) has commenced an investigation into the incident and will determine the circumstances that led to the aircraft landing on a newly constructed road after an unsuccessful landing attempt in Asaba.
According to him, the aircraft had filed a flight plan from Lagos to Asaba and made an approach to land before carrying out a go-around.
“How he ended up landing on a strip or a road, only the pilot and his God could determine. The investigation will reveal what happened,” he said.
The NCAA official, however, criticised the pilot’s decision to take off from the road without obtaining clearance, describing the action as unauthorised and warning that sanctions would follow.
He disclosed that the NCAA has already suspended the operator’s commercial certificate pending the outcome of investigations.
Despite the incident, Spiff maintained that Nigerian airspace remains safe, describing the occurrence as an isolated case that should not undermine public confidence in the country’s aviation sector.
“This was an isolated incident. Nigerian airspace is very safe,” he stated.
