Sources say KCAA in their report gave reasons for refusing to renew the certificate and indicated that previous Logbooks were not available for inspection, major repairs were performed on the aircraft without making a formal request to the Authority, the Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO) could not demonstrate access to airworthiness data and that the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) AMO performing the aircraft weighing did not have the capability to do so
Pertinent queries are being asked about the safety of aircraft used by the Kenya Aeronautical College Flying School. The questions arose after the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority refused to renew the Certificate of Airworthiness for an aircraft at the school registration number 5Y-CCN Serial Number 172-71796.
The matter was then referred to the National Civil Aviation Administrative Review Tribunal by the college. Kenya Aeronautical College Flying School filed a complaint with the National Civil Aviation Administrative Review Tribunal stating that on 23rd October 2020, they applied for the renewal of the Certificate of Airworthiness for Aircraft 5Y-CCN around the time of expiry of the previous certificate.
It is after the statement was made that the aircraft was then inspected on 13th November 2020 and it was found to be in a good condition save for a few issues which led to the KCAA declining to grant it the Certificate of Airworthiness for aircraft 5Y-CCN Serial Number 17271796.
Sources say KCAA in their report gave reasons for refusing to renew the certificate and indicated that previous Logbooks were not available for inspection, major repairs were performed on the aircraft without making a formal request to the Authority, the Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO) could not demonstrate access to airworthiness data and that the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) AMO performing the aircraft weighing did not have the capability to do so.
But KCAA in a quick rejoinder through Mary Keter, the Manager in charge of the Airworthiness Department, the college applied for renewal of the license on 18th November 2020, just about a month after the expiry of the Certificate of Airworthiness contrary to Regulation 12(5) of the Civil Aviation (Airworthiness) Regulations, 2018, which provides that an application for renewals of Certificate of Airworthiness should be made at least sixty (60) days before expiry.
It was also discovered that the college did major repairs on the Aircraft without seeking permission from the KCAA. The ruling by the Tribunal reads in part “It is therefore our view that the Appellant’s (college) request to compel the Respondent (KCAA) to issue a Certificate of Airworthiness cannot be granted and the Appeal is dismissed”.
It goes on to say “We also wish to recommend that due to the fact that the Aircraft has not operated for some time now, it would be prudent that the Respondent subjects the aircraft to its regulatory processes to enable the same operate”.
Kenya Aeronautical College is an aviation training institution based at Wilson Airport. The college conducts training for Aeronautical Engineers, Flight Dispatch, Cabin Crew, Air Travel & Tours, and Dangerous Goods, among others.
