3 Reasons Why NCAA Suspended Max Air Flights

The operations of all Boeing B737 aircraft belonging to Max Air, a domestic carrier were recently suspended by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The suspension was contained in a letter dated the 12th of July 2023, and titled “Suspension of Parts A3 and D43 of the Operations Specifications Issued to Max Air with Immediate Effect.” 

Signed by Capt. Ibrahim Bello Dambazau, the Director of Operations, Training, and Licensing, on behalf of Capt. Musa Nuhu, the Director General of NCAA, the suspension will place all domestic flights operated by Max Air on hold.

Its operations will only be reinstated if the results of the NCAA’s audit are found to be satisfactory by the Authority.

What led to the suspension? 

In the statement, Capt Dambazau revealed that the suspension was in response to a series of incidents involving Max Air’s Boeing B737 aircraft.

Listing the loss of main landing gear as the first reason, Dambazau said, “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 the 7th of May 2023″.

He said the second reason is the “Fuel Contamination of the main fuel tanks of aircraft B737-300, Registration Marks; 5N-MHM, leading to the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) shut down on the ground at Yola Airport on the 7th of July, 2023”.

Thirdly, he highlighted “An 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.”

He also listed “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”.