GEJ Throws Another Punch, Grounds Amaechi's Private Plane Over Expired Permit
SAN FRANCISCO, April 27, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government Saturday escalated its war against the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, by grounding the State Government owned Bombardier BD700, Global Express with tag no N565 RS.
The NCAA said the private plane has been operating illegally in the country as its clearance to operate expired on April 02, 2013.
The Director of airworthiness standards, Engineer Benedict Adeyileka in a briefing on Saturday said the aircraft, which is being exclusively used by Mr. Amaechi, had its last flight clearance approved for operation on “Thursday, March 28, 2013 on Accra-PH –Accra and to terminate on April 2, 2013.”
The same aircraft was temporarily grounded in Akure on Friday by aviation authorities who said the pilot did not file a flight manifest for the aircraft.
Addressing reporters Saturday at the Aviation House, the headquarters of NCAA, Engineer Adeyileka, explained that the while the aircraft was still operating illegally, it has been sighted in several places including Owerri and Akure.
The Director said, “The controversial aircraft on the service of Governor Rotimi Amaechi is operating illegally on the country.
“The aircraft a Bombardier BD 700, Global Express with registration number N565RS, has its clearance approval expired since Tuesday, April 2, 2013, by our records the last flight clearance for this aircraft was approved for operations on Thursday March 28, 2013 on Accra/Port Harcourt and Accra to terminate on April 2, 2013.
“With this development, the aircraft has exceeded the extra two days or forty eight hours leeway for it to leave the country.
“While still operating illegally, the aircraft has been sighted in several places, including Owerri and Akure, the owner of this aircraft according to the certificate of registration is Bank of Utah Trustees of Salt Lake City, Utah United States of America.
“The clearance for the aircraft was sought by Caverton Helicopters on March 27,2013.
“NCAA did not ground the aircraft prior to request for start up in Akure on Friday 26, April 2013.
Consequently, this aircraft in reference is hereby grounded at any airport that it is located right now in the country."