Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued an All Operators Letter (AOL) 070 requiring mandatory compliance with the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Emergency Airworthiness Directive by all operators in Nigeria forthwith.
The AOL dated April 23, 2018 was endorsed by Engr. Kayode Ajiboye on behalf of Director General NCAA, Capt Muhtar Usman addressed to all airlines and aircraft owners, was for immediate compliance.
A statement signed by the NCAA spokesperson, Sam Adurogboye said the issuance was an aftermath of a recent incident involving a South West Airlines (American Carrier) in which one of its engine exploded mid-air and the attendant Airworthiness Directives issued by FAA.
Upon the receipt of FAA Emergency Airworthiness Directive AD 2018-09-51, NCAA swung into action by carrying out a review on all the airlines to determine the operators of aircraft type with CFM56-7B engines that are essentially affected by the circular.
It was established that only two (2) operators have the aircraft type in question in their fleet but the good news is that they are yet to reach the 30,000 cycles to which the Emergency AD requires immediate ultrasonic inspection of the fan blades within 20 days.
However NCAA went ahead to notify all the Nigerian operators about this development to enable them carry out the required inspection when it is eventually due.
NCAA has assured Nigeria air travellers that it will continue to enforce compliance with safety regulations at all times for a safer aviation and any violations will be treated in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs)
