By Paul Efiong Fur using a ladder, an unauthorized equipment to disembark passengers at the Bauchi Airport recently, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has imposed sanction on Aero Contractors Airlines.
NCAA in a letter said the penalty is ‘civil’ and in line with Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs).
However, the agency which also fined the Captain of the flight did not however disclose the amount.
The Director General of NCAA, 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.
He stated that the action was a violation of Part 9.2.4.2(b) of Nig.CARs which part attracts a civil penalty, adding that all relevant agencies made useful submissions during the course of the investigation.
“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 letter reads in part.
The Regulatory Agency said that the incident did not result in any mishap, the aircraft is airworthy and the crew well qualified to operate the flight.
It however, noted that the incident is viewed as a breach and resultantly a fine running into millions of naira has been clamped on the airline to serve as deterrence and to forestall any similar infraction by any other airline operator, a statement from the agency said.
