On December 23, 2022, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) issued a stern warning to Nippon Cargo Airlines for the improper maintenance work on an aircraft. Nippon Cargo Airlines will review the measures required to prevent such instances from reoccurring and make a report to the Ministry by January 16, 2023. Nippon Cargo Airlines deeply regrets and apologizes for causing such concern to the public.

The fact of said circumstance is following;

1. On September 23, 2022, the flight crew of Boeing 747-8F (Registry: JA12KZ) reported the No.4 thrust reverser lever could not be advanced to the maximum reverse power position. According to the report, the certified mechanic check the aircraft and found the one incorrect screw that was not follow the design standard of the aircraft manufacturer was installed on the cover of No.4 thrust lever.
   The length of the screw was longer than the correct one and it was caused interference between the longer screw (incorrect screw) tip and internal mechanism of the No.4 thrust reverser lever, then it has obstructed raising the No.4 thrust reverser lever to the maximum reverse power position.
   Said circumstance was reported to Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) by NCA on September 28, 2022.
2. As a result of internal investigation, following facts were found.
   - The certifying staff install the incorrect screw by using the screw checked out for another maintenance work (Replacement of screw of the Nose Landing Gear wheel well light).
   - The certifying staff ordered to the certified mechanic to record the maintenance work for another maintenance work in spite of the work had not been performed actually.
3. The acts related to 1. and 2. above were in violation of the Nippon Cargo Airlines’ Maintenance Management Manual and Approved Organization Exposition (maintenance practices, maintenance records, and reporting) which have been approved by Japan Civil Aeronautic Law.

     Nippon Cargo Airlines takes this administrative guidance from MLIT very seriously, and will once again ensure that all employees are safety-conscious, conduct compliance training and raise awareness of compliance, and establish systems to prevent a recurrence of the maintenance incident. Through these measures, we will make every effort to ensure safe operations.

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