Aviation company disputes tampering with Adeleke’s aircraft engine.

Quits Aviation’s management has disputed allegations that it tampered with the engine of Deji Adeleke’s Bombardier Challenger 605 aircraft, which belonged to the elder brother of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, management stated that no one could interfere with the aircraft’s engine because it was under 24-hour security supervision, with CCTV footage showing no evidence of tampering.

Olawale Rasheed, the governor’s spokesperson in Osun State, stated on Sunday that Governor Ademola Adeleke and some of his aides barely escaped an aircraft crash.

Rasheed said that the engine of a plane carrying the governor had been tampered with.

According to a national newspaper, on September 5, an airplane carrying Adeleke and three of his aides nearly crashed while attempting to take off from Lagos for a trip to Abuja.

Rasheed confirmed the news in a statement on Sunday, saying that preliminary findings from the internal probe indicated the likelihood of sabotage.

However, Quits Aviation’s management declared in a statement on Tuesday that the company is a respectable and reliable aviation entity with a proven track record of providing Aircraft Management, Maintenance, Operations, and Handling services.

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

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“The aircraft was parked at Quits Aviation premises prior to the date of the incident on 04.09.2023,” Adeleke’s aide claims. The airplane was under 24-hour security surveillance while parked, and no tampering or security violations were observed.

“The following can be confirmed based on CCTV footage: 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 flight preparation procedures.”

Furthermore, the management stated that, except from pulling the aircraft from its parking area to another position before Adeleke’s departure on September 4, 2023, the CCTV footage indicated no evidence of tampering or security breach.

“It is confirmed that the aircraft was parked with no engine cover protection,” the statement continued. There was no other disturbance to its airframe or engines outside the towing movement.

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

“The aircraft later returned to the ramp before departing Quits Aviation at approximately 17:12.”

“Quits Aviation expresses regret for the incident and confirms its full cooperation with relevant stakeholders and authorities conducting an investigation.”

“In order to promote safety, Quits Aviation advises its tenants to park aircraft in strict accordance with the Aircraft Maintenance Manual Procedures, which require that open orifices and engines be always covered to prevent Foreign Object Damage or Infestation.”