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Nigeria said yesterday it will "plug loopholes" in its airline industry and ensure compliance with maintenance standards after an air crash on Saturday that killed 117 people.

Nigeria's air industry has seen dramatic growth over the past 10 years but most of its fleet is second hand and at least 20 years old. There have been several safety breaches recently, some involving aircraft problems and others relating to potholed or obstructed runways.

"I have directed the aviation ministry to ensure strict compliance with maintenance and operational requirements and standards for all aircraft in order to plug loopholes and ensure passenger security and safety," President Olusegun Obasanjo said in a national television and radio address.

Obasanjo said he had ordered a "full and fair investigation" into the crash of the Boeing 737 shortly after take-off from Lagos on Saturday night.

Bellview Airlines said the 24-year-old plane had been given a clean bill of health by safety inspectors in February. The Abuja-bound flight took off when there was a heavy electrical storm in the area around Lagos.

John Obakpolor, a fellow of Britain's Royal Aeronautical Society and retired Nigerian Air Force officer, said the evidence pointed to a lightning strike as a possible cause.

The Boeing 737 had climbed to 1,200 feet and requested permission to go to 13,000 feet when it suddenly lost contact with the control tower three minutes after take-off, he said.

Contrary to a statement by a presidency source, Obakpolor said there was no distress call. Nor is there any evidence that the pilot had time to follow emergency procedures, such as ditching fuel at sea or returning to base.

"Something suddenly happened, like an explosion. If it was hit by lightning -- and there was lightning activity -- the effect at that level is very dangerous."

He said such an electric spark would knock out communications and control, leaving the plane rudderless, but would not stop the engines.

"Judging by the size of the crater, the aircraft flew into the ground with the power on, so the question of maintenance does not come into it at all."

Nigeria's aircraft are maintained abroad and only basic maintenance is conducted in the country, he added.

The industry is dominated by small Nigerian companies, some of which are owned by politicians, and most of the aircraft are over 20 years old.

One exception is Britain's Virgin Group, which was recently chosen as operator of a new flag carrier airline, Virgin Nigeria, and has started plying domestic and international routes with newer planes.

Although an official casualty list has yet to be issued, the dead include prominent Nigerian officials and businessmen, a US military officer, two Britons and a German.

Two US forensic experts are expected to arrive in Nigeria to help identify the dismembered, charred bodies of the victims at the crash site 30 km (20 miles) north of Lagos.

Obasanjo said Nigerians would observe a minute's silence at midday on Wednesday and Ogun state government would hold an interfaith service at the crash site on Thursday.

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