The House of Representatives yesterday resolved to investigate rising incidences of alleged contaminated aviation fuel and non-adherence to standard procedures in the industry. The investigation was prompted by the reported case of contaminated aviation fuel involving the main fuel tanks of Boeing 737-300 aircraft belonging to Max Air B737-300, which led to shut down of the Auxiliary Power Unit, APU, on Thursday, July 7, 2023, at Yola airport. Considering a motion moved by Olawuyi Tunji under matters of urgent public importance at plenary, the House said the matter was a serious one that needed thorough investigation to prevent air crashes. It, however, rejected an amendment to the motion which called for the suspension of the airline, pending the conclusion of the investigation. Presenting the motion, Tunji said it had been confirmed that the airline got the contaminated fuel from an undisposed source. He said: “The serious fuel contamination of the main fuel tanks of Boeing 737-300 aircraft belonging to Max Air B737-300, leading to the Auxiliary Power Unit, APU, shutdown on Thursday, July 7, 2023 at Yola Airport. “Max Air has reportedly confirmed that it got the contaminated fuel from certain undisclosed aviation refueling outlet which eventually led to the unfortunate incidence and grounding of its 5N-MHM aircraft by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA. “The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) following the incident via a letter NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/363 dated 9th July, 2023 suspended Parts A3 (Aircraft Authorization) and D43 (Aircraft Listing) of the Operations Specifications issued to Max Air Ltd with regards to the operations of the Boeing B737 aircraft type in their fleet. “The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) noted several occurrences involving Max Air Boeing B737 aircraft including: the Loss of Number 1 Main Landing Gear (MLG) wheel during the serious incident involving a Boeing 737-400 aircraft, registration marks 5N-MBD which occurred between take-off at Yola Airport, Adamawa State and on landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Nigeria on May 7 2023.” Tunji noted that in recent times, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, had been receiving series of mandatory occurrence reports from airlines and other aircraft operators with issues related to water being found in the fuel tank of the aircraft. He added that in the ability of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, and other associated aviation and oil regulatory agencies to address the increasing sharp practices in the aviation fueling industry where some unregistered portfolio jet fuel marketers using the throughput arrangement to supply aviation fuel with little or zero traceability in its supply chain, instead of the regulated Joint Venture (JV) model, was having negative impact on lives, properties, economy and the aviation industry. “The regulatory agency in the aviation oil industry has demonstrated lack of capacity and failed to ensure certification of appropriate specification and proper handling of fuels to remain essentially free of harmful contaminants during production, transportation and distribution. “The urgent need to maintain strict adherence to international standards and industry best practices in fuel supply and distribution, stop the rising cases of contamination of aviation kerosine, popularly known as Jet A1, in Nigeria,” he said. Adopting the motion, the House gave the ad hoc committee yet to be inaugurated four weeks to conclude the investigation and report back for further legislative action. ChatGPT
House of Representatives to Investigate Alleged Use of Contaminated Fuel in Aviation Industry
The House of Representatives has resolved to launch an investigation into the increasing incidents of alleged contaminated aviation fuel and non-compliance with standard procedures in the aviation industry. The decision was sparked by a recent report of contaminated aviation fuel affecting a Boeing 737-300 aircraft belonging to Max Air B737-300. The contamination resulted in the shutdown of the aircraft’s Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) at Yola airport on July 7, 2023.
The motion, brought by Olawuyi Tunji under matters of urgent public importance, emphasized the seriousness of the matter and the need to prevent potential air crashes. It was revealed that the contaminated fuel used by Max Air was sourced from an undisclosed aviation refueling outlet.
Following the incident, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) suspended certain operational specifications issued to Max Air Ltd for their Boeing B737 aircraft fleet. The suspension was prompted by several occurrences involving Max Air’s Boeing B737 aircraft, including the loss of a Main Landing Gear (MLG) wheel during a serious incident that occurred between take-off at Yola Airport and landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on May 7, 2023.
The motion also highlighted that the NCAA has been receiving mandatory occurrence reports related to water found in aircraft fuel tanks from various airlines and aircraft operators. There are concerns about the regulatory agencies’ capacity to address the sharp practices in the aviation fueling industry, particularly the use of unregistered portfolio jet fuel marketers employing the throughput arrangement instead of the regulated Joint Venture (JV) model.
The House of Representatives recognized the urgent need to maintain strict adherence to international standards and industry best practices in fuel supply and distribution. They intend to investigate and address the rising cases of aviation kerosene (Jet A1) contamination in Nigeria. An ad hoc committee, yet to be inaugurated, has been assigned four weeks to conclude the investigation and report back for further legislative action.
