The House of Representatives is set to investigate the incident of contaminated fuel observed in a Max Air plane.
This followed a motion of urgent importance by Tunji Olawuyi, a member representing Ekiti/Isin/Oke-Ero and Irepodun Federal Constituency.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had on July 12, 2023 suspended the airline’s domestic operations, citing contamination of Jet A1 fuel, amongst other reasons.
The House said it is concerned about the ominous danger, considering the life and death situation involved, adding that the incident will be probed.
The NCAA, in its letter, had said that the suspension of Max Air was necessary “due to the several occurrences that involved your Boeing B737 aircraft”.
The regulator listed the incident 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 on landing 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.
“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.
“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 authority has constituted a team of inspectors to conduct an audit of your organization. The result of this audit must be found satisfactory by the Authority prior to considering the restoration of the privileges of the operations Specifications to your organisation to further operate the aircraft type.”