NCAA grounds two foreign registered aircraft over documents’ falsification, illegal operations

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Sunday grounded two foreign registered aircraft over falsification of flight clearance information and conducting illegal domestic flight operations in Nigeria.

The aircraft are Bombardier 700-100 with registration number G-RBEN Global express S/N 9083 operated by Gama Aviation, United (UK) Limited, and Embraer 135 J with registration number XA-MHA.

According to Sam Adurogboye, acting general manager, public affairs NCAA, the operators of G-RBEN aircraft were found operating in Nigeria’s airspace with falsified flight clearance information and conducting illegal domestic flight operations in Nigeria.

Other infractions are: conducting illegal commercial revenue flight operations contrary to conditions contained in Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) Part 10 and security violations.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the Embraer 135BJ registration marks XA-MHA was reported to have landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, from London, Farnborough without any flight clearance on the September 10, 2015.

Reports from the Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) indicated that the crew informed them that they possess a ministerial approval for the flight.

However, on landing; the crew could not produce any ministerial approval as claimed.

The BD 700-100 is a United Kingdom Air Operators Certificate (AOC) holder and has been carrying out several domestic operations between Abuja and Lagos without the Authority’s Permit/Certification in accordance with Nigerian CARs Part 10.

“While further investigation continues both aircraft remain grounded. The aircraft country of registry in UK and Mexican Civil Aviation Authority [MCAA] will be notified as appropriate.

“The Legal and Enforcement department of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will after the conclusion of the investigation proffer appropriate sanctions and enforcement procedure according to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs).

“The Director General of NCAA, Muhtar Usman however reaffirmed that the Authority is committed to the enforcement of compliance to Safety Regulations and has zero tolerance to any form of violation,” he said.