The management of Quits Aviation has firmly denied allegations of tampering with the engine of the Bombardier Challenger 605 aircraft belonging to Nigerian billionaire Deji Adeleke, who is also the elder brother of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke.
This news comes in the wake of reports that Adeleke and some of his aides narrowly escaped an aircraft crash, a confirmation made by the Governor’s spokesman, Olawale Rasheed.
Rasheed had previously alleged that the engine of an aircraft carrying the Governor might have been tampered with. However, in a statement released on Tuesday, the Quits Aviation management strongly refuted these claims, asserting that no one could have tampered with the aircraft’s engine due to the stringent security measures in place.
According to the aviation company, the aircraft was under 24-hour security surveillance, and the CCTV footage revealed no evidence of tampering or security breaches. Quits Aviation emphasized its reputation as a credible and reputable aviation entity with an exceptional track record in Aircraft Management, Maintenance, Operations, and Handling services.
The management clarified the sequence of events surrounding the aircraft’s presence at their facilities. They explained that the company had an aircraft parking agreement with the owner/operator of the Bombardier Challenger 605 aircraft with registration marks 5N-ATA. Quits Aviation was responsible for providing a secure parking space, while the owner/operator was responsible for adhering to technical parking procedures outlined in the Aircraft Maintenance Manuals.
The statement provided additional details, stating, “The aircraft was parked at Quits Aviation premises before the date of the incident on 04.09.2023. During parking, the aircraft was under 24-hour security surveillance, and there was no record of observed tampering or security infringements.”
The company’s review of CCTV footage revealed that on the day of the flight, the aircraft was towed from its parked position to another location at approximately 08:45 for flight preparations. Importantly, the management confirmed that the aircraft had been parked without engine cover protection. Except for the towing movement, there was no interference with the aircraft’s airframe or engines.
The statement continued, “In promotion of safety, Quits Aviation recommends to its tenants to park aircraft in strict compliance with the Aircraft Maintenance Manual Procedures, requiring that open orifices and engines are always covered to prevent Foreign Object Damage or infestation.”
Quits Aviation expressed its regrets over the incident and affirmed its full cooperation with relevant stakeholders and authorities currently investigating the matter. The controversy surrounding the alleged tampering of the aircraft’s engine continues to be a subject of scrutiny and investigation.