Stories by Ime Akpan Lagos
Th e Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has constituted a fi ve-man panel to hear the appeal fi led by First Nation Airways. Th e airline had lodged an appeal following a fi ne of N33.5 million which the NCAA imposed on it (airline) for alleged violation of safety regulations. Th is was contained in a letter written to the airline on May 9, 2017, with reference number NCAA/DG/CSLA/RM/1- 06/17/163. “During the hearing, the appeal panel may, at its discretion, allow time for oral submissions if deemed necessary,” said NCAA. It would be recalled that FNA and one of its pilots were fi ned N32 million and N1.5 million naira respectively for violation of safety regulations in November, last year.
Th e NCAA had fi ned First Nation Airways (FNA) and one of its pilots a total of N33.5 million for contravening safety regulations In a letter conveying the penalties, the carrier was ordered to pay a sum of N32, 000,000 while the pilot-in-command was fi ned N1, 500,000. NCAA had said that the pilot operated 16 scheduled fl ights between November 2 and 8 2016 with expired medical certifi cate which invariably rendered his pilot’s licence invalid. During a ramp inspection on Airbus A319 aircraft marked 5N-FNE at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), NCAA discovered that the pilot-in-command was not in personal possession of a current medical certifi cate neither was it readily accessible. NCAA said the pilot admitted violating the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) while the airline demonstrated lack of thorough knowledge of the requirements of the Regulations. “Th e airline has contravened the Regulations by allowing a fl ight crew member to be
rostered to operate a total of 16 scheduled fl ights on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th and 8th November, 2016. “Th ese operations were carried out while his medical certifi cate had expired since on the 1st November, 2016, thereby rendering his pilot’s licence subsequently invalid from that date. “In light of these, the airline is hereby sanctioned in accordance with IS 1.3.3 (14) while the Pilot suff ered similar fate in line with IS 1.3.3 (11) (15) (e), in lieu of suspension under IS 1.3.3(11) (15) (a) of the Nig.CARs 2015. “On this strength, the airline is required to pay a total sum of N32,000,000 while the pilot will pay N1.5 million being moderate civil penalty
