LAGOS PLANE CRASH: Govt Grounds Associated Airlines’ Operations

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA has suspended all operations of Associated Airlines, the owners of the airplane that crashed at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja on Thursday.

Fielding questions from journalists at the General Hospital Ikeja, where he paid a visit to injured passengers, the Director General of the Authority, Capt Fola Akinkuotu, announced the suspension of all operations of the airline.

“Associated airlines (their operations) have been suspended by the NCAA. Let me say, for the purpose of clarity:  (when) I say their operations, I mean all the operations of Associated airlines have been suspend by the NCAA. I did not say any certification was cancelled, but all operations.”

Akinkuoto said the aircraft was certified airworthy before the last flight, adding that the continued
airworthiness certification of an airplane rests with the airline itself.  The DG stressed that there was nothing contrary to the information provided by the airline.

He said the insurance company handling the airline has provided documents about the state of its insurance.

Capt. Akinkuotu said the NCAA would continue to apply the rules to all airlines. He expressed satisfaction that the injured persons were responding positively to treatment and commended the management of the hospital for the state-of-the-art equipment.