NCAA investigates trending picture of worn out aircraft tyres, yet to establish photo veracity

REACTING to a picture that has been trending on social media since last Saturday, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said that it is investigating the picture in question and is yet to establish any operator with the aircraft.

This is just as the Authority has said it is highly unlikely that any operator in the country will result to using such an aircraft with tyres like that all the various checks and counter checks available.

The regulatory body in a statement signed by General manager Public Relations, Sam Adurogboye, said in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) no airline operator can embark on commercial air transportation for hire and reward without airworthy operating aircraft.

According to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) Part 5.4.1.1(b)”the Authority shall issue a Certificate of Airworthiness for aircraft registered in Nigeria based on satisfactory evidence that the aircraft complies with the design aspects of the appropriate airworthiness requirements (type certificate) and is in a condition for safe operation.”

The statement read,”NCAA’s Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI) are well-trained and well motivated to carry out routine ramp inspection on all airlines operating in Nigeria.

“It is the primary responsibility of the Authority Inspectors to ensure that all the parts of the aircraft complies with the applicable airworthiness requirements and remains in a condition for safe operation before every flight and throughout its operating life.

“In addition to the Authority oversight roles, NCAA has placed the onerous responsibility of the first line of safety on the operating airlines’ Pilot In Command of each flight and the assigned Engineer that authorized each flight.

With all the various checks and counter checks put in place by NCAA combined with that of the operators, it is therefore improbable that any airline in Nigeria will operate a service with that kind of tyre.

However, NCAA wishes to advise the original author of the post or any other individuals with safety related issue, if any to furnish the Authority with the identity of the airline or any of such information to enable us establish the authenticity of the claim and ensure appropriate action.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) finally said it will continue to carry out surveillance on the industry to ensure safety and security of airline operations in Nigeria and it is pertinent to point out that violation is viewed seriously.

A former musician had on Friday shared the picture  without mentioning the airline or showing the full picture of the aircraft  and this was picked up by a blog and circulated causing widespread, reactionary panic as many unmentioned sources say the former musician got the picture from a popular Nigerian site which had the picture since 2016 for an article they did.

Investigations are still ongoing to verify the authenticity of all of it.