The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has stated that the water said to be dripping from the cooling system of one of the Overland Airways aircraft is not a safety issue.
Similarly, the airline has pointed out that occasional water dripping from the cooling system of one of their aircraft is not an uncommon occurrence in airliners flying all over the world, and will also affirm that it is not in any way a safety issue.

The airline stated that the explanation became imperative based on the malicious and unwarranted posts and comments online and social media concerning momentary water dripping in one of their aircraft on arrival from a flight, which occurred about a month ago.
This was just as the airline has called on their passengers and the general public to disregard such malicious and unwarranted posts and comments online and social media.
A statement signed by the management of the airline noted that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has diligently inspected the aircraft, certified its airworthiness and educated the general public via various mass media on the cosmetic nature of the occurrence.

According to the airline, “we are therefore shocked at the malicious defamation, demarketing and cheap publicity that has followed.
Overland Airways has earned its quality and status in Nigeria, and cannot be put down by sponsored baseless, ignorant and malicious videos and comments in the media. Our consistency and safety record speak for the airline over these 12 years of our operation to develop Nigeria’s economies. Overland Airways is an airline operating to the strict international safety standards and regulations of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).”

The statement explained further that, “Overland Airways is one of Nigeria’s most viable airlines today and it is managed by aviation professionals and business experts. Overland Airways maintains one of the largest aircraft fleets in Nigeria today and operates aircraft types that are globally recognized for their outstanding safety and economic performance.
Overland Airways is one of the few scheduled commercial passenger airlines in Nigeria that has successfully operated for over 10 years despite the difficult operating environment in Nigeria. It should be noted that Overland Airways is also the only scheduled commercial passenger airline older than 6 years in Nigeria that is not taken over by the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) because of excessive debts profiles; this is a testament to our ability to sustain our routine financial obligations, which reflects in our sound maintenance and safety profile.”

The management of the airline said Overland Airways is totally committed to the safety and comfort of their individual passengers and importantly the economic development of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the NCAA has allayed the fears of air passengers that Overland Airways’ ATR 42 aircraft was not faulty.

The acting general manager, Public Relations of NCAA, Mr. Sam Adurogboye said that the water dripping from aircraft during a recent flight was normal.

“It is not anything abnormal because it happens when the aircraft is being flown at a low level. It is as a result of the defrosting of the cooling system just like when you switch off your refrigerator. So the aircraft was not leaking water, if there was a leakage, it would come down and crash absolutely,’’ Adurogboye said.

He stated that the operators of the aircraft were summoned by the NCAA to also clarify the situation while a thorough examination of the aircraft was also carried out.