The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded all Boeing B737 aircraft operated by domestic carrier Max Air.
According to a letter from the regulator to the domestic airline, the suspension is effective immediately.
The letter was titled NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/363 and was dated July 12, 2023. It was captioned ‘Suspension of Parts A3 and D43 of the Operations Specifications Issued to Max Air with Immediate Effect’.
The letter was signed on behalf of NCAA Director General Capt. Musa Nuhu by NCAA Director of Operations, Training, and Licensing, Capt. Ibrahim Bello Dambazau.
By extension, the airline’s domestic flights will be halted until the suspension is removed.
“The Authority’s action is due to the several occurrences that involved your Boeing B737 aircraft as listed hereunder,” NCAA said via the letter.
“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.”
