The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has recovered the Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder from the private aircraft that made an emergency landing on a roadway near Asaba, Delta State, as investigators move quickly to unravel the circumstances behind the June 10 incident.
In a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday, June 11, 2026, the NSIB confirmed it had swiftly retrieved and secured both black boxes from the Bombardier Challenger CL-601 aircraft, registration N989BC, operated by VMO Aero Limited.
The aircraft was involved in a serious occurrence during a flight from Lagos to Asaba when it landed and later departed from a road in the Ogwashi-Uku area.
Director General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., said the Bureau activated its emergency response procedures immediately after receiving notification of the occurrence on Wednesday, June 10. A Go Team of investigators was deployed to the site near Asaba and work began without delay.
“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,” Captain Badeh said.
He further stated that: “we are relieved that there were no reported fatalities or serious injuries. Our commitment remains the advancement of aviation safety in Nigeria.”
According to the NSIB, the recovered CVR and FDR have been secured for detailed analysis.
Investigators are also obtaining relevant operational, maintenance, and air traffic control records as part of the probe.
The Bureau is coordinating with all relevant stakeholders and authorities in line with the Civil Aviation Regulations and ICAO Annex 13. Appropriate notifications have already been made to the relevant State authorities.
The investigation will include analysis of the recovered flight recorders, examination of technical and operational records, interviews with relevant personnel, and review of additional evidence.
The NSIB stressed that the objective of the investigation is to determine the circumstances and contributing factors and to issue safety recommendations to prevent recurrence.
The Bureau noted that the probe is conducted solely for the advancement of transportation safety and does not seek to apportion blame or determine liability.
Mrs. Funke Adebayo-Arowojobe, Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at the NSIB, who signed the statement, urged members of the public who witnessed the occurrence or possess photographs, videos, CCTV footage, or other relevant information to contact the Bureau via dg@nsib.gov.ng or its official social media channels @nsibofficial.
The incident, which saw the private jet land on a public roadway before taking off again without regulatory approval, has already drawn regulatory action from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.
The NCAA has grounded the aircraft and suspended the operator’s permit pending the outcome of investigations.
The NSIB said further updates will be provided as significant developments occur in the ongoing investigation.
