In a significant move aimed at ensuring aviation safety, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the operations of all Max Air’s Boeing 737 aircraft types, effective immediately.
The regulatory body made this decision after a series of safety incidents involving the airline’s planes.
Through a letter addressed to Max Air’s managing director, dated July 12, 2023, the NCAA announced the suspension of Parts A3 and D43 related to the operation of Max Air’s Boeing 737 aircraft. Part A3 pertains to the airline’s Aircraft Authorization, while Part D43 deals with the Aircraft Listing of the Operations Specifications issued to Max Air Ltd.
The letter, titled “Suspension of parts A3 and D43 of the Operations Specifications Issued to Max Air with Immediate Effect,” was signed by Ibrahim Bello Dambazau, the director of operations training & licensing for the director general of Civil Aviation.
The letter explicitly stated, “The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) hereby suspends Parts A3 (Aircraft Authorization) and D43 (Aircraft Listing) of the Operations Specifications issued to Max Air Ltd. with regards to the operations of the Boeing B737 aircraft type in your fleet.”
Citing a series of incidents involving Max Air’s Boeing 737 aircraft, the NCAA justified its decision to ground the fleet. The incidents mentioned in the letter include the loss of the number 1 Main Landing Gear (MLG) wheel during a serious incident, fuel contamination of main fuel tanks resulting in the shutdown of the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), an aborted take-off due to high Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) indication, and an air return caused by duct overheat indication in the cockpit.
To ensure compliance with safety standards, the NCAA has formed a team of inspectors tasked with conducting a comprehensive audit of Max Air. The airline’s operational privileges will only be restored upon the satisfactory outcome of this audit.
This suspension comes as the aviation industry faces increasing scrutiny and the need for stringent safety measures. With passenger safety as the top priority, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority is committed to upholding strict regulations and maintaining the highest standards of air travel.
