BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR--The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on Thursday suspended the operations of all Boeing B737 aircraft of domestic carrier, Max Air.
This is contained in a letter signed by NCAA Director of Operations, Training and Licensing, Capt. Ibrahim Bello Dambazau, titled: ‘Suspension of Parts A3 and D43 of the Operations Specifications Issued to Max Air with Immediate Effect”, dated July 12, 2023 and marked NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/363.
It reads: “The Authority’s action is due to the several occurrences that involved your Boeing B737 aircraft as listed hereunder:
“Loss of Number 1 Main Landing Gear (MLG) wheel during the serious incident involving a Boeing 737-400 aircraft, registration marks 5N-MBD which occurred between Take-off at Yola Airport Adamawa State and on landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja Nigeria on 7th May, 2023.
“Fuel Contamination of the main fuel tanks of aircraft B737-300, Registration Marks; 5N-MHM, leading to the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) shutdown on ground Yola Airport on the 7th of July, 2023.
“Aborted take-off of Boeing 737-400 aircraft, registration marks 5N-MBD, which occurred at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) due to high Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) indication on the 11th of July, 2023.
“An air return by aircraft B737-300, Registration Marks; 5N-MHM to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) due to duct overheat indication in the cockpit on the 11th of July, 2023.
“The authority has constituted a team of inspectors to conduct an audit of your organization. The result of this audit must be found satisfactory by the Authority prior to considering the restoration of the privileges of the operations Specifications to your organisation to further operate the aircraft type.”
Meanwhile, Max Air has reacted to the suspension of the operation of its Boeing 737 aircraft by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), saying the issue is being resolved.
He said the issues which bother on safety would be resolved in less than a week, adding the airline remains committed to safe operations at all times.
“The fact is that there was the issue of adulterated fuel which we also noted. It was noticed by our maintenance. We now decided to give ourselves a two-day break to be able to audit ourself which the NCAA got the wind off.”
“That is the true story. So safety is our number one priority and we are looking at it. No body will joke with the life of anybody.”
