The House of Representatives has decided to investigate an incident involving contaminated fuel in a Max Air plane. This came after Hon. Tunji Olawuyi, a member of the House representing Ekiti/Isin/Oke-Ero and Irepodun Federal Constituency, raised a motion of urgent importance. On July 12, 2023, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) suspended Max Air’s domestic operations due to several safety concerns, including the contamination of Jet A1 fuel in one of its aircraft.
The NCAA listed multiple incidents involving Max Air’s aircraft, including the loss of a landing gear wheel in May 2023, fuel contamination on July 7, 2023, and two separate issues in July, where aircraft had to return to airports because of engine problems. Due to these safety concerns, the NCAA grounded the airline until it passed a safety audit. The NCAA stated that Max Air’s operations could only resume once it had passed an inspection.
The House of Representatives expressed concern about the risks these safety lapses pose to passengers and crew, given the potential danger of contaminated fuel. The lawmakers emphasized that the investigation is crucial to ensure that Max Air and other airlines meet safety standards and protect the lives of Nigerians traveling by air. The results of the probe will determine whether Max Air can resume operations and what measures need to be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
