The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) wants airline operators having Boeing 737-700 in their fleet to immediately comply with the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Emergency Airworthiness Directive.
The FAA says as a matter of urgency, such operators should commence immediate ultrasonic inspection of the fan blades within 20 days.
The directive is coming on the heels of the recent engine explosion of South west airline mid-air on April 17, 2018 and had to make an emergency landing in Philadelphia.
In a statement, by the General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr, Sam Adurogobye says, the NCAA has sent letter for mandatory compliance addressed to all airlines and aircraft owners endorsed by Mr. Kayode Ajiboye on behalf of Captain Muhtar Usman, Director General NCAA dated 23rd April, 2018.
“Upon the receipt of FAA Emergency Airworthiness Directive AD 2018-09-51, NCAA swung into action by carrying out a review on all the airlines to determine the operators of aircraft type with CFM56-7B engines that are essentially affected by the circular”.
The statement added,”It was established that only two (2) operators have the aircraft type in question in their fleet but the GOOD NEWS is that they are yet to reach the 30,000 cycles to which the Emergency AD requires immediate ultrasonic inspection of the fan blades within 20 days”.
However the Authority went ahead to notify all the Nigerian operators about this development to enable them carry out the required inspection when it is eventually due.
Nigeria air travellers are assured that the Authority will continue to enforce compliance with Safety Regulations at all times for a safer aviation and any violations will be treated in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs).
