NSIB to investigate Max Air as plane loses tyres during takeoff
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched an investigation into a concerning incident involving a Max Airplane, where all four tyres burst during takeoff at Yola Airport.
In a statement released on Sunday, NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Bimbo Oladeji, confirmed the incident.
“This evening, Max Air’s flight NGL1649, a Boeing 737 with registration 5N-ADB, carrying 119 passengers and 6 crew members, was cleared for takeoff from Yola Airport en route to Abuja,” Bimbo said.
“During the takeoff roll, a loud bang was heard, identified as the bursting of the rear gear tyres.
“Initially, two tyres burst. While attempting to taxi off the runway, the remaining two tyres also burst, rendering the aircraft completely disabled.” Bimbo added.
According to the official report from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), there were no injuries suffered by any passengers or crew members as a result of the incident. The incident occurred in the evening, but despite the accident caused by the tyres during takeoff, everyone on the aircraft escaped unharmed.
NSIB announced that a response team, led by Director General Captain Alex Badeh Jr, will visit the site tomorrow morning to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tyre failure.
This is not the first time a Max Air aircraft has had issues
In July 2023, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) took the precautionary measure of indefinitely suspending the operations of all Boeing 737 aeroplanes operated by Max Air following unsafe practices.
This action was prompted by an earlier incident where a Max Air airplane reportedly crash-landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
There have been several notable airplane incidents in Nigeria such as Dana Air Flight 992 (2012), EAS Airlines Flight 4226 (2002), Bellview Airlines Flight 210 (2005), Nigerian Air Force Beechcraft King Air Crash (2021), 1973 Kano Nigeria Airways Boeing 707 crash.
