The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released a preliminary report on a serious incident involving a Boeing 737-400 aircraft operated by Max Air Limited. The report, which was made public on Thursday in Abuja, highlights potential safety issues arising from poor aircraft maintenance.
The incident occurred on May 7 during a flight between Yola, Adamawa State, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. According to Akin Olateru, the Director-General of the NSIB, the initial findings indicate that the flight crew were properly licensed and qualified for the flight, and that the aircraft had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness.
Olateru provided a detailed account of the incident, revealing that an object resembling a tire fell off the departing aircraft shortly after takeoff. The pilot was alerted to the situation by both air traffic control and passengers on board. Despite indications of normal instrument and landing gear operations, the pilot noticed a drop in the port side wing as the aircraft decelerated during landing. Full aileron control and minimal braking were utilized to safely stop the aircraft on the runway.
The investigation further revealed that the port wheel assembly was discovered approximately 1,000 meters from the Yola airport runway, exhibiting signs of severe fire damage. The roller bearings on the wheel assembly had discolored and burnt out. Additionally, it was noted that the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) recording was overwritten, preventing crucial information from being recovered.
The report also highlights lapses in maintenance procedures by Max Air Limited. An incorrect serial number was recorded in the technical log of the incident aircraft, and the quality control department failed to supervise the maintenance action on the brake unit and wheel change. The crew did not take sufficient measures to confirm the report of the missing wheel assembly.
Based on these findings, Olateru made several safety recommendations. He advised the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to conduct regular Safety Management System (SMS) assessments to evaluate Max Air Limited’s capability in effectively managing safety. He also called for increased surveillance and oversight by the NCAA’s Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) and Principal Operations Inspector (POI) to ensure compliance with maintenance and flight operation regulations.
The report concludes by emphasizing the need for the NCAA to enforce compliance with regulations, including taking legal actions against non-compliant operators regarding the overwriting of CVR information. It also urges the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to provide uninterrupted power supply to avoid compromising operational equipment.
The NSIB will continue its investigation, including inspections of the roller bearing and other accessories, retrieval of pertinent documents from Max Air Limited and other stakeholders, and further analysis leading to the drafting of the final report.
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