The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has taken immediate action to suspend the operation of Max Air’s Boeing 737 aircraft type, citing four safety occurrences that have taken place between May and July. The suspension, communicated through a letter issued on July 12, 2023, suspends Parts A3 and D43 of Max Air’s Operations Specifications, which pertain to Aircraft Authorization and Aircraft Listing, respectively as reported by our media partners Nigerian Flight Deck.
According to the letter, the decision to suspend Max Air’s operations was prompted by a series of incidents involving their Boeing 737 aircraft. These incidents are outlined as follows:
1. Loss of Number 1 Main Landing Gear (MLG) wheel during a serious incident involving a Boeing 737-400 aircraft, registered as 5N-MBD, between take-off at Yola Airport in Adamawa State and landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on May 7, 2023.
2. Fuel contamination of the main fuel tanks of a Boeing 737-300 aircraft, registered as 5N-MHM, leading to the shutdown of the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) on the ground at Yola Airport on July 7, 2023.
3. Aborted take-off of a Boeing 737-400 aircraft, registered as 5N-MBD, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) due to high Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) indication on July 11, 2023.
4. An air return by a Boeing 737-300 aircraft, registered as 5N-MHM, to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) due to duct overheat indication in the cockpit on July 11, 2023.
In response to the suspension, the NCAA has assembled a team of inspectors to conduct an audit of Max Air. The airline’s operations can only be restored once the results of this audit are deemed satisfactory by the authority. The audit is expected to assess Max Air’s adherence to safety standards and evaluate their capacity to operate the Boeing 737 aircraft type.
In a press release issued by Max Air, the airline acknowledged the concerns of its valued customers and reassured them of its commitment to safety. Max Air stated that they initiated an internal investigation, which revealed that the company had been supplied with adulterated fuel. In line with their dedication to passenger safety, they voluntarily suspended operations for two days before the NCAA intervened.
MaxAir’s fleet fleet comprises of five B737-300s, one B737-400, three B747-400s, and one Legacy 600. The airline recently acquired its first B777-200 on June 11, 2023 opening doors to an exciting era of expanded capabilities and elevated passenger experiences, according to its social media pages.
While the airline did not disclose its specific plans for the B777, MaxAir generally focuses on scheduled passenger operations throughout Nigeria as well as hajj and Umrah charters.
