NCAA Suspends Two ValueJet Pilots Over Pre-Departure Safety Breach at Abuja Airport
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended two pilots of domestic airline, ValueJet, for violating aviation safety protocols at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, disclosed that the pilot initiated departure procedures without securing mandatory pre-departure clearance, a violation that endangered airport ground personnel and other users.
“This reckless action endangered the safety of ground personnel and other airport users, contravening established civil aviation regulations and international safety standards,” Achimugu said.
The regulatory agency described the incident as a serious safety breach, prompting swift disciplinary action. As a result, the operating licences of Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba have been suspended with immediate effect.
The NCAA stated that the suspension would remain in place pending the outcome of a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
Reiterating its zero-tolerance approach to safety violations, the Authority assured the public and aviation stakeholders of its firm commitment to upholding the highest standards of flight safety.
