Black Boxes Recovered As NSIB Probes Asaba Aircraft Emergency Landing
By Stella Enenche, Abuja
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) said it has recovered the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder from a private aircraft involved in an unusual roadway landing near Asaba, Delta State.
This development was contained in a statement signed on Thursday by the Bureau’s Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Funke Adebayo-Arowojobe.
TheFact Daily recalled that the aircraft, a Bombardier Challenger CL-601 with registration number N989BC operated by VMO Aero Limited, was flying from Lagos to Asaba on Wednesday when it reportedly landed on a roadway before later departing the scene.
NSIB said it immediately activated its emergency response procedures after receiving notification of the occurrence and dispatched a Go Team to the site to commence investigations.
The agency disclosed that the aircraft’s Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR), commonly referred to as “black boxes,” had been successfully retrieved and secured for detailed analysis.
According to the Bureau, investigators are also gathering operational, maintenance and air traffic control records as part of efforts to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the occurrence.
Director-General of the NSIB, Alex Badeh Jr., said the swift recovery of the flight recorders would play a crucial role in establishing the facts surrounding the incident.
“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,” he said.
Badeh expressed relief that no fatalities or serious injuries were reported, reiterating the Bureau’s commitment to improving aviation safety standards in the country.
“We are relieved that there were no reported fatalities or serious injuries. Our commitment remains the advancement of aviation safety in Nigeria,” he added.
The NSIB said it is coordinating with relevant stakeholders and authorities in line with the Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations and the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) under Annex 13.
The Bureau noted that the investigation would include analysis of the recovered recorders, examination of technical and operational records, interviews with relevant personnel and review of additional evidence.
It also appealed to members of the public who witnessed the incident or possess photographs, videos, CCTV footage or other relevant information to assist investigators.
The NSIB stressed that the objective of the investigation is to determine the circumstances and contributing factors behind the occurrence and issue safety recommendations aimed at preventing a recurrence.
“The investigation is conducted solely for the advancement of transportation safety and does not seek to apportion blame or determine liability,” the Bureau said.
