Civil aviation authorities in the United Arab Emirates have impounded a private jet operated by a Nigerian airline over grave safety defects.
According to the Punch, the aircraft (name withheld) was impounded at the Dubai International Airport shortly after arriving the UAE from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Nigeria.
The chartered plane had flown some Nigerian minerals merchants to Dubai.
The UAE civil aviation authorities, which carried out a random ramp inspection on the plane shortly after arriving in Dubai, reportedly discovered serious safety infractions on it.
The plane was subsequently grounded and findings showed that the plane had remained grounded in Dubai for over three weeks.
The publication stated that top officials of the Ministry of Aviation confirmed the development on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak on the matter.
According to the officials, the UAE civil aviation authority has contacted the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the United States Federal Aviation Authority on the development, the regulators of civil aviation of both countries.
The US government was contacted because the private jet was carrying an American registration code though it was operated by a Nigerian charter airline.
Top officials of the Ministry of Aviation said the NCAA leadership was disturbed by the development.
Among other things, the UAE discovered that the tyres of the plane had worn out while the Minimum Equipment List, a major safety condition, was not on the plane.
Aside from other safety violations by the operators of the plane, the UAE authorities found out that the plane was conducting an illegal flight to Dubai as there were no documents to prove that the plane had approval for commercial (charter) flight.
It was gathered that the aircraft was meant for private purposes, contrary to the commercial (charter) it did to Dubai.
According to the Punch, the officials said the situation may affect Nigeria’s relationship with the US in the area of aviation.
