Nigeria Air Force Engineers Achieve Remarkable Feat by Reviving 23-Year-Grounded Aircraft
In a groundbreaking achievement, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has successfully reactivated a Dornier DO-228 aircraft that had been grounded for 23 years, demonstrating exceptional engineering expertise. This remarkable feat underscores the NAF’s growing capacity for indigenous maintenance, bolstering its operational readiness and contributing to Nigeria's aviation capabilities.
The aircraft, originally designated "5N-MPS" and operated by the defunct Ministry of Mines, Power, and Steel, had been grounded at the DANA facility in Kaduna since 2001. Following a Presidential Directive to transfer such grounded platforms to the NAF for evaluation and reactivation, the NAF took on the task. The aircraft, a Dash 201 Series with only 1,081 flight hours, was considered a valuable national asset that the NAF aimed to restore.
From June to September 2024, a dedicated team of five engineering officers and 40 technicians from the NAF 431 Engineering Group (Engr Gp) in Kaduna worked meticulously on the reactivation process. Their efforts involved applying advanced engineering techniques and adhering to stringent aviation standards. This accomplishment not only enhances the NAF’s fleet but also highlights the Service’s resolve to achieve self-reliance in aviation maintenance, reducing the need for foreign outsourcing.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, praised the team’s dedication, emphasizing that the project reflects the NAF’s commitment to optimising resources and strengthening national security. “The successful reactivation of NAF 039 is not just an operational gain; it is a statement of our capabilities and our commitment to self-reliance,” he said.
This achievement builds on the NAF's earlier success in conducting the first in-country 4,800-hour inspection on a DO-228 aircraft in January 2024. Together, these milestones highlight the NAF's growing technical expertise and its path toward achieving technical autonomy.
The reactivated aircraft, now designated NAF-039, will join the fleet of DO-228 aircraft, enhancing the NAF’s tactical airlift capabilities. This accomplishment strengthens the NAF's position as a key player in Africa’s aviation sector and reinforces its commitment to operational excellence and resource optimisation.
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