NCAA LIFTS BAN ON BOEING 737 MAX AIRCRAFT

  NCAA LIFTS BAN ON BOEING 737 MAX AIRCRAFT

...Gives approval to operate in Nigerian Airspace

 

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)has announced the lifting of ban on Boeing 737 Max Aircraft in the Nigerian Airspace, following the two accident involving the Boeing 737 Max Aircraft. A statement signed by Director-General/CEO of the Authority Capt.  MusaNuhu said this approval is effective 12th February 2021.

                Consequent upon the two accidents of Lion Air Flight 610, an Indonesia flight which crashed into the Java Sea 13mins after takeoff, and Ethiopian Airlines flight 320,which crashed six minutes after takeoff, made the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika pronounced the ban on the operations of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in the Nigerian airspace.

                On the 18th November 2020, the Authority received a Continued Airworthiness Notification to the International Community (CANIC) CAN-2020-24 advising it of the United States Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) ongoing continued operational safety activities related to returning Boeing Model 737-8 and 737-9 (737 MAX) aircraft service.

                This however, made the FAA issue a final rule/Airworthiness Directive (AD) that mandated the following actions for Boeing 737 MAX aircraft which includes;

  • Install new flight control computer software and new 737 MAX display system software;
  • Incorporate certain Airplane Flight Manual flight crew operating procedures, Modify horizontal stabiliser trim wire routing installations;
  • Conduct an angle of attack sensor system test; and
  • Conduct an operation readiness flight.

NCAA recognize that a Joint Authority Technical Review (JATR) that comprised of International Aviation Authorities such as the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Transport Canada (TC) and the Singapore Civil Aviation Authority amongst others carried out a joint review of the Boeing 737 MAX safety system alongside FAA and NASA.

In the light of the above, the FAA has released documents on Boeing 737 Flight Standardization Board Report, revision 17, identifying special pilot training for the 737 MAX and Safety Alert for Operators.

NCAA recognises the joint review of the Boeing 737 Max Safety System and came up with the following actions required of all foreign and domestic operators:

  • All intending domestic operators are required to work with the Boeing Company and NCAA for the Aircraft Type Certificate Acceptance Programme in order to have the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft registered in Nigeria and issued with a Standard Certificate of Airworthiness.
  • All foreign air operators that intend to operate the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft into Nigeria must submit evidence of compliance with the FAA AD 2020-24-02

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority will continue to ensure strict compliance to Safety Regulations as violation[s] will be viewed seriously.

NCAA INVESTIGATING HELICOPTER’S HIGHWAY LANDING

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has revoked the Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence ATPL of a Pilot for serious violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs).

This revocation was a consequence of the Pilot operating flights on non-schedule operations while his medical certificate has expired.

During these flight operations, the Pilot repeatedly exercised the privileges of his License ATPL (A) when he was not qualified to exercise such privileges.

Specifically, the Pilot’s Medical Certificate commenced validity from 17th July, 2017 and expired on the 16th January, 2018. Another one was processed on 11th May, 2018 which expired on the 10th November, 2018.

However, investigation has revealed that instead of the Pilot revalidating his Medical Certificate he conducted flight operations as the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) in flagrant disregard of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs).

According to Part 2.11.1.2-(b) A flight crew member or air traffic controller shall not exercise the privileges of his/her licence unless he/she holds a current medical certificate appropriate to the licence.

Consequent upon this, the Authority has determined that pursuant to Part 2.11.1.2(b) of the Nig.CARs, the Pilot has lost the privileges of his Licence. He does not hold a current medical certificate appropriate to the Licence.

Resultantly, in Part 2.2.9.3 (a) A licence, rating, authorisation or certificate shall be revoked if the holder has lost the skills for exercising the privileges mentioned in the document or fails to meet appropriate medical standards as shown by the result of a medical examination or a test.

Therefore, in line with Part 1.3.3.3(a)(1) of the Nig.CARs, the Pilot’s Licence ATPL (A] [ A- Aircraft]  is hereby revoked with immediate effect, and it ceases to be effective.

The Pilot has been directed to return the invalidated licence to the Authority’s Director of Licensing (DOL) within seven days of receipt of the Letter of Sanction.

The letter has since been despatched accordingly.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) wishes to reiterate very strongly that violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will continue to view very seriously any infraction of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs).

 

Signed: