Ken Okeke
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended Mattini Airline Services Limited, as investigation commences after a runway incident involving a Challenger CL 601 aircraft operated by the airline at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The aircraft, which departed from Abuja, overshot the runway and skidded into the nearby bush on Friday. Fortunately, all passengers and crew members onboard were safely evacuated, and no fatalities were recorded.
In response to the incident, the NCAA has suspended the Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) of Mattini Airline Services Limited with immediate effect.
Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NCAA, stated that the suspension would remain in place until it is determined that the conditions of the PNCF have been adhered to.
Furthermore, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has initiated a safety investigation into the occurrence. In a statement, NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Bimbo Oladeji, urged the public to come forward with any relevant information or evidence regarding the incident to assist with the investigation.
“While the investigation is ongoing, it is crucial that we refrain from speculating on the cause of the incident,” Oladeji emphasized.
The NCAA also announced that it has initiated an economic inquiry into the operation of the aircraft in line with its PNCF. This inquiry aims to evaluate the compliance of Mattini Airline Services Limited with the terms and conditions of the permit.
Additionally, the aviation authority has commenced a comprehensive safety and economic evaluation of all private jet operations in Nigeria to ensure adherence to regulatory standards and enhance aviation safety.
The NSIB assured the public that it would conduct a thorough investigation into the runway excursion incident and encouraged cooperation from all stakeholders.
As investigations progress, both regulatory bodies have reiterated the importance of respecting the privacy of those involved in the incident and urged the public to await the formal report before drawing conclusions about its cause.