NAMA debunks “epileptic” ILS claims by Max Air
…says crash-landed aircraft failed to explore alternative procedures for a safe landing
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has debunked claims made by a distressed carrier, Max Air, attributing crash-landing of its aircraft at the Minna Airport to poor signals from the Instrument Landing System.
Max Air had, earlier, issued a press statement on the incident involving its aircraft, a Boeing 747-400 with registration No. 5N-DBK, which landed hard at Minna airport on Saturday, the 7th of September, 2019.
The airline alluded that the ILS at the airport was “epileptic with unreliable signals.”
In reaction, NAMA insisted that the ILS was in good condition as it was serviced early this year, and it has not received any reports of its malfunction prior to this incident.
The Agency also said the crew on the ill-fated aircraft failed to use alternative measures available to them.
A statement signed by the General Manager, Public Affairs, NAMA, Khalid Emele, said: “The attention of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has been drawn to a press release issued by Max Air Ltd on the incident involving its aircraft, a Boeing 747-400 with registration No. 5N-DBK at Minna airport on Saturday, the 7th of September, 2019.
In the said release, the airline’s director of operations, Capt. Ibrahim Dilli attributed the unfortunate incident among other things, to the Instrument Landing System at the airport which he said was “epileptic with unreliable signals.”
While we acknowledge that we have absolute confidence in the ability of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) to conduct a thorough investigation (which is ongoing), we are constrained to however put things in proper perspective for the benefit our airspace users and the flying public.
The reported weather on the day in question was 10km visibility in nil weather.
Secondly, the said Instrument Landing System was successfully calibrated early this year {2019} and there has been no report of non-alignment by the equipment from pilots since then.
Other operators that have used the facility after the incident have not complained about the ILS malfunctioning.
Thirdly, NAMA has made available other alternative approaches like the Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) approach procedures and Very High Omni-directional Radio Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) approach procedures which are alternatives to the ILS.
The agency, therefore, wishes to reassure airspace users and the general public that the Nigerian airspace remains safe for air travel. In furtherance to this, the Hon. Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, on the 29th of August, took delivery of a brand new Beechcraft 350 flight calibration aircraft to aid NAMA in the timely, regular and efficient conduct of flight calibration of its navigational facilities nationwide, in line with global best practices.”
