- The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) began a safety audit of Max Air following a tyre burst incident
- Max Air flight lost its nose landing gear tyre during landing at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport
- No casualties were reported as passengers and crew were safely evacuated
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has reportedly initiated a safety audit of Max Air following a tyre burst incident involving one of the airline's planes on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).
The incident occurred at approximately 10:57 p.m. when the aircraft lost its nose landing gear tyre during landing. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
All passengers, crew safely evacuated after tyre burst
In a statement posted on X (Formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, January 29, Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, confirmed that the affected plane had been removed from the runway.
“The disabled MaxAir 5NMBD that had a burst tyre on landing yesterday has been removed from the runway,” Moshood stated.
He further said, “Sweeping of the runway is ongoing, and NOTAM will be cancelled after inspection. Runway 06/24 is now open for normal operations.”
The Kano Station Manager for Max Air, Malam Bello Ramalan, confirmed that all passengers and crew aboard the flight were safely evacuated after the tyre burst.
Ramalan said, “I would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused and express my gratitude to God for the safety of everyone on board. Our primary concern is always the safety of our passengers and crew.”
He emphasised that “In accordance with standard procedures, our team followed the necessary protocols for a crash landing and overshooting the runway.”
He further said, “These procedures include the immediate evacuation of passengers, isolation of the pilots, and coordination with investigation authorities.
The incident followed a series of safety-related events involving Max Air. On July 22, 2024, a Max Air aircraft departing from Yola airport to Abuja had to abort its takeoff after all four of its tyres burst.
Manager stresses Max Air's commitment to safety
Additionally, in December 2024, a Max Air plane bound for Abuja made an emergency landing after one of its engines caught fire, just minutes after departing Maiduguri airport in Borno State.
The Kano Station Manager further said, “We are currently working with the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and the Aircraft and Equipment Department (AED) to investigate the incident. Preliminary reports indicate that a tyre issue caused the incident.
“At Max Air, safety is our top priority, and we take all necessary measures to ensure the well-being of our passengers and crew. We will continue to cooperate fully with the relevant authorities to determine the cause of the incident and implement any necessary corrective actions.
“Once again, I apologise for the inconvenience caused and appreciate the understanding and cooperation of our passengers. We will do our best to ensure that your luggage is returned to you as soon as possible,” Ramalan stated.
United Airlines flight makes emergency return to Lagos after mid-air incident, injuring passengers
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that a United Airlines flight en route from Lagos to Washington D.C. made an emergency return to Lagos.
The aircraft safely returned to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, where first responders attended to the injured.