NCAA stops all Max Air Boeing 737 aircraft type from operation due to serious incidents

All Max Air Boeing B737 aircraft type have been suspended from operation with immediate effect.

Announcing the suspension in a letter dated July 12, 2023 signed by the Director, Operations Training and Licensing, Captain Ibrahim Dambazau for Director General, Civil Aviation Captain Musa Nuhu says, the Authority’s action is due to the several occurrences that involved Max Air Boeing B737 aircraft.

According to the letter, the NCAA listed the occurrences to include, 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 onlanding 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;

Others are, 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; 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.

The NCAA announced that, with the letter of suspension, it has constituted a team of inspectors to conduct an audit on Max Air. 

The regulatory body also assured that, it is only when the audit is concluded and is satisfied with the outcome that, the airline’s aircraft type will be allowed to commence operations.