During the Sunday evening takeoff from Yola Airport to Abuja, a Max Air aircraft encountered a significant incident. The plane, identified as a Boeing 737 with registration number 5N-ADB and flight number NGL1649, was carrying 119 passengers and six crew members.
As it was rolling for takeoff, the aircraft experienced the bursting of four of its tires, both during the takeoff roll and while taxiing off the runway.
According to a statement from Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the incident took place when the aircraft received clearance for takeoff.
As the aircraft began its takeoff roll, a loud noise was heard, which was later determined to be the bursting of the rear gear tires.
Olawumi explained that initially, two tires burst during this phase. Subsequently, while trying to taxi off the runway, the remaining two tires also burst, resulting in the aircraft becoming completely disabled. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries among the passengers and crew.
According to the statement, a team led by Alex Badeh, the Director General of the NSIB, will visit the site of the incident to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the reasons behind the tire bursts and to confirm compliance with safety protocols.
This occurrence comes shortly after Max Air resumed its domestic operations following an audit conducted by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
