The umbrella body representing professional pilots in Nigeria has appealed to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to withdraw the disciplinary measures recently imposed on crew members of ValueJet over an incident that occurred at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
In a statement issued in Lagos, the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) expressed concern over what it described as punitive action taken by the NCAA without sufficient engagement with the affected personnel. The union maintained that while safety remains paramount in aviation, sanctions should always follow due process, objective investigation, and fair hearing.
NAAPE argued that the crew of the ValueJet flight involved in the said incident acted professionally under challenging circumstances and should not be scapegoated for technical or operational lapses that require broader systemic review. The association further stressed that such disciplinary measures, if not handled transparently, risk undermining crew morale and could discourage proactive decision-making in high-pressure situations.
According to the union, aviation incidents are often multi-layered and must be assessed with technical precision and fairness. They cautioned against hasty judgments or actions that could erode trust between regulatory authorities and flight operators, calling instead for more robust dialogue and collaborative problem-solving.
The ValueJet incident, which occurred during a flight operation into Abuja, did not result in casualties, but the NCAA had reportedly sanctioned the flight crew involved, citing operational concerns. The details of the regulatory action have not been fully disclosed to the public, but it has since sparked conversation within Nigeria’s aviation sector about crew rights, regulatory transparency, and the balance between enforcement and fairness.
NAAPE urged the NCAA to review its position with a view to fostering a more supportive environment for pilots and flight engineers. The union reaffirmed its commitment to aviation safety and regulatory compliance but insisted that any disciplinary action must be procedurally just and rooted in sound technical evaluation rather than perceived blame.
As the matter continues to draw attention from industry stakeholders, the call by the pilots’ union adds pressure on the NCAA to possibly revisit its decision and engage more constructively with ValueJet and other operators to strengthen the nation’s aviation safety architecture without compromising crew welfare.
