The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA has imposed an applicable sanction on Aero Contractors Airlines in line with Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, Nig.CARs.
In a letter conveying the sanction, the director general of the Regulatory Authority, Capt. Muhtar Usman, said the action of Aero Contractors Airline in allowing the use of a ladder to disembark passengers from a Boeing 737 – 500 aircraft in a non-emergency situation is contrary to its approved aircraft handling manual.
The NCAA boss said Aero action was a violation of Part 9.2.4.2(b) of Nig.CARs which part attracts a civil penalty.
Capt. Usman maintained that all relevant agencies made useful submissions during the course of the investigation.
The DG continued in the letter that ‘’in view of the safety implications of your action you are hereby sanctioned in accordance with the provisions of Part 20.2.3(15) of the Nig.CARs.’’
The Regulatory Authority noted “that although the incident did not result in any mishap, the aircraft is airworthy and the Crew well qualified to operate the flight. However, it is viewed as a breach and resultantly a fine running into millions of naira have been clamped on the airline to serve as deterrence and to forestall any similar infraction by any other airline operator”.
According to Usman, “in addition, the Captain of the flight was similarly fined for failing to comply with the provisions contained in the aircraft manual.
The NCAA reiterated its earlier warning that all airlines should endeavour to adhere strictly to Civil Aviation Regulations.
