NAF: How our engineers revived FG aircraft grounded for 23 years

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says its engineers and technicians revived a Dornier DO-228 aircraft that had been grounded for 23 years.

Olusola Akinboyewa, NAF’s director of public relations and information, said in a statement on Wednesday that the aircraft was originally owned by the defunct ministry of mines, power, and steel, and had been abandoned at a DANA facility in Kaduna since 2001.

He added that the aircraft was reactivated by a team of five engineering officers and 40 technicians from the 431 Engineering Group, Kaduna, between June and September 2024.

“The reactivation of the Dornier DO-228, now redesignated as NAF-039, underscores the technical competence of our personnel and their commitment to ensuring operational readiness,” he said.

“This aircraft had been inoperable for over two decades, but with meticulous planning and execution, our team has brought it back to life.”

The spokesperson said the aircraft, a Dash 201 Series with only 1,081 flight hours, presented “a unique opportunity to restore a valuable national asset”.

He said the project was initiated after a presidential directive for ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to transfer grounded platforms to NAF for evaluation and possible reactivation.

The reactivation is a strategic milestone for NAF, enhancing its fleet and reducing reliance on external maintenance solutions, Akinboyewa stated. 

“This achievement is not just about adding to our fleet but is a clear demonstration of our determination to achieve self-reliance in aviation maintenance,” he added.

He noted that Hasan Abubakar, chief of air staff, commended the engineering team for their ingenuity and perseverance.

“The successful reactivation of NAF-039 is a testament to our engineers’ skill and dedication, and it aligns with our broader goals of resource optimisation and operational excellence,” Abubakar said.

“It also builds on previous milestones, such as the first in-country 4,800-hour inspection of a DO-228 aircraft conducted in January 2024.”

Abubakar said the aircraft would enhance NAF’s tactical airlift capabilities and serve as a symbol of the service’s resolve to uphold national security through self-reliance.

“Our engineers and technicians have proven that they can tackle even the most complex maintenance tasks,” he added.

“This is a significant morale booster and a testament to what we can achieve with determination and teamwork.”