The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says no airline in Nigeria can operate an aircraft with worn out tyre based on safety checks put in place by the agency.

Mr Sam Adurogboye, General Manager, Public Relations, NCAA, made the clarification on Tuesday in Lagos.

Adurogboye said that the clarification was necessitated by a trending online picture of an aircraft with worn out tyre allegedly operating in Nigeria.

He explained that flight operations must be in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs).

According to him, no airline operator can embark on commercial air transportation for hire and reward without airworthy operating aircraft.

Adurogboye noted that Certificate of Airworthiness for an aircraft registered in Nigeria would only be issued after satisfactory inspections in line with the provisions of Part 5.4.1.1(b) of the Nig.Cars.

He said that the NCAA’s Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI) were well trained and well motivated to carry out routine ramp inspection on all airlines operating in the country and it was the primary responsibility of NCAA’s Inspectors to ensure that all parts of the aircraft comply with the applicable airworthiness requirements before every flight”.

“In addition to our oversight roles, NCAA has placed the onerous responsibility of the first line of safety on the operating airlines Pilot-In-Command of each flight and the assigned engineer that authorised each flight. With all the various checks and counter-checks put in place by NCAA, combined with that of the operators, it is therefore, improbable that any airline in Nigeria will operate a service with that kind of tyre,” he said.

Adurogboye advised the original author of the post or any other individuals with safety related issue, to furnish NCAA with the identity of the airline.

He said this would enable the authority to establish the authenticity of the claim and ensure appropriate action.

Adurogboye said the NCAA would continue to carry out surveillance on the industry to ensure safety and security of airline operations in Nigeria. (NAN)