Yemisi Izuora
Two foreign registered aircraft considered to have breached aviation regulations have been grounded by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) with immediate effect.
The aircraft are Bombardier 700-100 with registration marks G-RBEN Global express S/N 9083 operated by Gama Aviation, United (UK) Limited and Embraer 135 J with registration marks XA-MHA.
A statement by Sam Aderugboye
Ag General Manager, NCAA, said the operator of G-RBEN aircraft were found to be operating in Nigeria’s airspace with falsified flight clearance information and conducting illegal domestic flight operations in Nigeria.
Other infractions include conducting illegal commercial revenue flight operations contrary to conditions contained in Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) Part 10 and security violations.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the Embraer 135BJ registration marks XA-MHA was reported to have landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, from London, Farnborough without any flight clearance on the 10th of September, 2015.
Reports from the Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) indicated that the crew informed them that they possess a ministerial approval for the flight.
However, on landing the crew could not produce any ministerial approval as claimed.
The BD 700-100 is a United Kingdom Air Operators Certificate (AOC) holder and has been carrying out several domestic operations between Abuja and Lagos without the Authority’s Permit/Certification in accordance with Nigerian CARs Part 10.
While further investigation continues both aircraft remain grounded, the agency ordered, adding that the aircraft country registry in UK CAA and Mexican Civil Aviation Authority [MCAA] will be notified as appropriate.
The Legal and Enforcement department of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will after the conclusion of the investigation hand down appropriate sanctions and enforcement procedure according to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations [ Nig. CARs].
The Director General of NCAA, Capt Muhtar Usman however reaffirmed that the Authority is committed to the enforcement of compliance to Safety Regulations and has zero tolerance to any form of violation.