A Max Air flight with 143 passengers and an infant on board, from Yola the aircraft experienced two tire burst on landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Sunday.
Daily Independent gathered that the flight departed from Yola at around 14:05, was scheduled to arrive in Abuja at 15:00, but the tires bursted into flame on landing.
The management of Max Air has however declared that all passengers and crew on board are safe and are being taken care presently.
“We are pleased to report that all passengers and crew on board the aircraft are
safe and sound. The airline has taken all necessary steps to ensure that the
passengers are comfortable and are being taken care of during this times.
“They have been conveyed to the arrival terminal with their luggage and belongings
further investigations before being released for future flights.
The aircraft tires are being replaced and the aircraft will taxi to the ramp for Max Air is committed to providing safe and reliable air travel to all its for what transpired.
We thank all the passengers for their patience and understanding emergency services, and all relevant agencies who responded promptly and the airline would like to extend its appreciation to the airport authorities,
professionally to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew on board” said Max Air in a statement.
The Aerodrome Rescue and Fire-fighting Service operators at the airport were swiftly deployed to the scene to put off the fire.
Former President of the Nigeria Medical Association, Dr Mike Ogirima, who gave an account of the incident to a reporter, was quoted as saying that the tyre burst occurred after takeoff at Yola Airport.
However, the aircraft crash-landed in Abuja with emergency officials already on the ground to put off the fire before the passengers disembarked right at the runway.
Ogirima said, “We thank God. We are still on the runway and the pilot has reassured us. He has called for the stairs and we are now disembarking from the runway to be evacuated to the airport building at the arrival hall.
“We bless God because we have witnessed the pull out of the tyre right from the airport in Yola and we went into a prayer session.
“I never announced it as a surgeon so as not to cause any panic but we bless God,” he added.
