Somto Bisina
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has taken the decision to suspend the operations of all Boeing B737 aircraft belonging to Max Air, a domestic carrier, with immediate effect.
The regulator communicated the suspension to the airline through a letter, stating the suspension of Parts A3 and D43 of the Operations Specifications issued to Max Air.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe letter, dated July 12, 2023, and signed by Capt. Ibrahim Bello Dambazau, the Director of Operations, Training, and Licensing, on behalf of Capt. Musa Nuhu, the Director General of NCAA, cited a series of incidents involving Max Air’s Boeing B737 aircraft as the reason for the suspension.
These incidents include the loss of a main landing gear wheel during a serious incident, fuel contamination leading to an auxiliary power unit shutdown, an aborted take-off due to high exhaust gas temperature, and an air return caused by a duct overheat indication in the cockpit.
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As a result of the suspension, all domestic flights operated by Max Air will be put on hold until the suspension is lifted. The NCAA has also formed an inspection team to conduct an audit of Max Air.
The airline’s privileges to operate the Boeing B737 aircraft will only be reinstated if the results of this audit are found to be satisfactory by the Authority.
The decision by the NCAA reflects the importance of safety in the aviation industry. The incidents involving Max Air’s aircraft are serious concerns that need to be addressed and rectified to ensure the well-being of passengers and maintain the highest safety standards.
The suspension emphasizes the responsibility of airlines to adhere to stringent safety protocols and regulations. It also underscores the role of regulatory bodies like the NCAA in monitoring and enforcing compliance within the aviation sector.
Max Air will now be required to work closely with the inspection team and address the issues raised by the NCAA. The airline’s commitment to rectifying the identified problems will be crucial in reinstating their privileges and resuming operations with the Boeing B737 aircraft.
