The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has explained why two elderly pilots involved in a recent aviation incident were legally permitted to operate the aircraft.
The clarification followed the landing of a private aircraft on a road in the Ogwashi-Uku area of Delta State.
NCAA Director of Operations, Licensing and Training, Captain Don Spiff, said the pilot and co-pilot held valid American licences.
According to him, the pilot was 75 years old while the co-pilot was 70 years old.
Spiff explained that both men operated under United States aviation regulations applicable to the aircraft.
He noted that the aircraft carried an American registration and was flown under Federal Aviation Administration rules.
According to the NCAA official, the pilots were not considered overaged under the regulations governing their operations.
He stated that Nigeria’s age limit for commercial pilots remains 65 years.
However, Spiff disclosed that Nigeria is reviewing its aviation regulations in line with global developments.
He said proposed provisions may allow pilots above 65 to operate private flights under certain conditions.
According to him, such pilots would still be required to pass strict first-class medical examinations.
Spiff emphasized that the ongoing investigation would determine all circumstances surrounding the incident.
He said the Nigerian Safety Investigation Board had already commenced inquiries into the occurrence.
The NCAA official noted that if the incident is not classified as serious, the matter could be transferred to the authority.
He revealed that the aircraft had filed a flight plan from Lagos to Asaba before the incident.
According to him, the pilot reportedly attempted to land in Asaba but later executed a go-around.
The circumstances that led to the aircraft landing on a newly constructed road remain under investigation.
Spiff said investigators would establish whether any unusual factors contributed to the occurrence.
He, however, faulted the pilot’s decision to take off from the road after the landing.
According to him, no clearance was obtained before the aircraft departed from the location.
He described the action as unauthorised and warned that penalties could follow.
The NCAA has already suspended the aircraft operator’s commercial certificate pending further actions.
Spiff identified the operator as VMO Aero, a Nigerian aviation company.
He noted that the aircraft’s ownership and operational arrangements would be clarified during investigations.
Addressing concerns about aviation safety, the NCAA official maintained that Nigerian airspace remains safe.
He described the road landing as an isolated incident rather than evidence of systemic safety failures.
Spiff urged the public to await the outcome of ongoing investigations before drawing conclusions.
