Quits Aviation Denies Tampering With Adeleke’s Aircraft Engines

• Kazeem Badmus

The Management of Quits Aviation has refuted claims that it tampered with the Bombardier Challenger 605 aircraft, registration marks 5N-ATA belonging to Dr. Deji Adeleke, the elder brother of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke.

They insisted that the aircraft was under 24-hour security surveillance and CCTV footage showed no record of tampering as insinuated.

Osun Defender had reported that Adeleke and some of his aides on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, escaped an air crash when a private jet owned by billionaire businessman, Adedeji Adeleke (his elder brother) caught fire at the take-off point at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos State.

Confirming the incident in a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Osogbo, Rasheed said contrary to reports, the highly technically equipped aircraft was well maintained with the best technical crew and was never an unused platform where birds could build nests.

READ: Averted Plane Crash: Adeleke’s Aide Says Aircraft Engines May Have Been Tampered

He said engines of the aircraft might have been tampered with before boarding.

However, in a statement made available to newsmen, the management of Quits Aviation stated that the company is a reputable aviation entity boasting of its 12 years experience with Aircraft Management, Aircraft Maintenance, Operations and Handling services.

The statement reads: “Under an aircraft parking agreement with the owner/operator of aircraft (Bombardier Challenger 605, registration marks 5N-ATA), Quits Aviation is responsible to provide suitable and secured parking space at its premises, whilst the owner/operator is responsible for the technical parking procedures in accordance with the respective Aircraft Maintenance Manuals.

“The aircraft was parked at Quits Aviation premises prior to the date of the incident on 04.09.2023. During parking, the aircraft was under 24-hour security surveillance and there is no record of observed tampering, or security infringements.

“According to CCTV footage observed, the following can be confirmed: On the day of the flight (04.09.2023) at approximately 08:45, the aircraft was towed from its parked position and repositioned close to the Legend Business Hangar to begin with flight preparation procedures.

“It is confirmed that the aircraft had been parked with no engine cover protection. Except for the towing movement, there was no other interference to its airframe or engines.

“At approximately 13:18 of the same day, the aircraft doors were opened for flight preparation activities until the aircraft departed for its intended flight at approximately at 15:20.

“The aircraft later returned to the ramp, eventually to then leave the Quits Aviation premises at approximately 17:12.

“Quits Aviation regrets the incident and confirms its full cooperation with relevant stakeholders and authorities performing investigating the incident.

“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.”