The suspension of all the Boeing 737 aircraft in the fleetof Max Air by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has been attributed to several incidents recorded on the aircraft type in the fleet of the airline.

A statement issued by the spokesperson of the regulatory body, Mr Sam Adurogboye, disclosed.

The NCAA has suspended with immediate effect the parts A3 and D43 in the Operations Specifications of the Boeing B737 Aircraft type in the fleet of Max Air Limited.

According to Adurogboye, The Authoritys action is based on several occurrences that involved the Boeing B737 aircraft type listed below which recorded Loss of number 1 Main Landing Gear (MLG) wheel during the serious incident involving Boeing 737-400 aircraft with registration marks 5N-MBO 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, with Registration Marks; 5N-MHM, leading to the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) shutdown on ground at Yola Airport on the 7th of July, 2023.

Aborted take-off of Boeing 737-400 aircraft, with 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, and 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, it said,

In view of all these incidents, the Authority said it has, however, constituted a team of inspectors to conduct an audit of the organization.

The result of the audit on Max Air Limited must be satisfactory before the airline would be allowed to further operate the aircraft type. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will continue to provide a robust oversight role for the industry and violations of safety regulations would be viewed seriously, NCAA declared. (Tribune)