The management of Max Air has explained the reason its aircraft, VM1623 with registration number 5N-BBM en route Abuja, returned to Maiduguri airport 10 minutes after takeoff.
The Borno State Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur, and over 100 other passengers narrowly escaped a tragic incident which occurred around 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
The pilot and crew managed to execute an emergency landing back at Maiduguri airport, averting disaster.
A Max Air staff member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident on Thursday morning.
The staff member said, “Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft struck a bird mid-air, which caused one of the engines to catch fire. The pilot acted swiftly to ensure the safety of all passengers.”
Following the emergency landing, passengers were reportedly in a state of panic, with many opting to collect their luggage and return home rather than board another flight.
However, Max Air management promptly arranged another aircraft from Kano to transport passengers, including the deputy governor, safely to Abuja.
Apart from the deputy governor, there were other government dignitaries on the flight including a commissioner, special advisers, and senior special assistants, among other aides.
Responding to the incident in a statement, the airline operator on Friday, said the air return of its Flight to Maiduguri International Airport was initiated after an engine abnormality was detected during takeoff.
It confirmed that all passengers and crew members aboard were unharmed.
The airline said the captain initiated an air return immediately after observing irregular engine parameters.
The statement reads: “Following Standard Operational Procedures, the affected engine was shut down as a precaution, allowing the aircraft to make a safe landing back at the airport.
“In a swift response to minimise disruptions, MaxAir dispatched a rescue aircraft to Maiduguri, ensuring that passengers reached their destinations with minimal delay.
“MaxAir is committed to the safety and comfort of our passengers. We are working closely with aviation authorities to investigate the cause of the engine abnormality and ensure such occurrences are mitigated in the future.
As a leading airline in Nigeria, we remain committed to upholding the highest safety and operational standards, ensuring the trust and confidence of our valued passengers.”
