NCAA Suspends Max Air After Kano Incident

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has slammed a three-month suspension on Max Air following an incident at Mallam Aminu Kano International Air Port Kano.

The suspension takes effect from midnight 31st January 2025.

Prime Business Africa reports that Max Air B734 aircraft with registration mark 5N-MBD, flying from Lagos to Kano with 53 passengers and six crew members onboard, crash-landed at the Kano airport on Tuesday night, causing panic about safety of passengers.

However, no injury was reported as all passengers and crew members disembarked safely, according to a preliminary report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).

“The aircraft, flying from Lagos to Kano with 53 passengers and six crew members onboard, landed on runway 06. During the deceleration phase, while still under 60 knots and with the thrust reversers engaged, a loud bang was heard, followed by the aircraft veering sharply to the left.

“The flight crew promptly regained control and safely brought the aircraft to a stop,” NSIB stated.

In a statement on Wednesday, NCCA said that while the NSIB has launched an investigation into the incident, Max Air has suspended operations for three months  “to allow for an internal appraisal of its operations by its management.”

“During this 3-month period, the NCAA will conduct a thorough safety and economic audit on Max Air,” the statement signed by  NCAA Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, Mr. Michael Achimugu, revealed.

READ ALSO: Civil Aviation Authority Suspends Max Air’s Boeing B737 Operations

It explained that the safety audit will involve a re-inspection of Max Air’s organisation, procedures, personnel and aircraft as specified by Part 1.3.3.3(b) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, while the economic audit will critically examine the financial health of the airline to guarantee its capability to sustain safe flight operations.

It added that “The resumption of Max Air’s domestic flight operations will be predicated on the satisfactory completion of this audit. “

The agency said it is aware of the inconvenience suspension may cause intending passengers of Max Air, but the safety and well-being of passengers is paramount.

It therefore appealed for patience and understanding, assuring the protection of passenger right.

Prime Business Africa recalls that  NCAA had in July 2023 suspended the operations of all Boeing B737 aircraft belonging to Max Air over a series of incidents. Some issues cited by the aviation agency included the loss of a main landing gear wheel causing a chaotic landing, 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. The airline has also recorded a case of tyre burst on its Flight NGL1649 a B737 aircraft in 2023.

NISB said the focus of its investigation will be on  “identifying the root cause, including any technical, operational, or procedural lapses.”