Flights to Lamido Aliyu Mustapha International Airport were severely disrupted on Monday due to an incident involving a Max Air aircraft. The plane, which was departing from Yola airport to Abuja on Sunday evening, suffered a tyre burst during takeoff, leaving passengers stranded and the runway blocked.
According to reports, no aircraft were able to land at Yola on Monday as the Max Air plane remained on the runway. A source confirmed that the disabled aircraft had not yet been towed away, creating significant challenges for airport operations.
Passengers arriving at the airport on Monday were unaware of the previous evening’s incident. They gathered as usual, expecting to catch their flights, but were ultimately disappointed to find that no flights were taking off or landing due to the runway obstruction.
In response to the incident, a team from the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) had to take an unconventional route to reach Yola. They landed at Gombe International Airport and then used Gombe Line buses to travel to Yola. This team was responsible for replacing the burst tyres and conducting an investigation into the cause of the incident.
A worker at the airport described the situation, saying, “No single aircraft landed today because the ill-fated Max Air plane is still on the runway. We saw Hummer buses belonging to Gombe State just brought in engineers from Abuja because the runway was blocked for safe landing.”
The Max Air flight in question, with the number NGL1649, was a Boeing 737 with the registration mark 5N-ADB. It had 119 passengers and six crew members on board. The director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, issued a statement regarding the incident.
The statement reads: “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. 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. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. A go-team, led by NSIB director general Capt. Alex Badeh Jr., will visit the incident site tomorrow morning to conduct an investigation.”
The incident caused considerable inconvenience to the passengers who were scheduled to travel on Monday. Many of them expressed their frustration, having arrived at the airport only to find out about the delay. “I had an important meeting in Abuja, and now I don’t know when I’ll be able to get there,” one passenger lamented.
Airport authorities were also in a difficult position, trying to manage the backlog of passengers and coordinate with airlines to reschedule flights. The runway blockage meant that all flights in and out of Yola were suspended until the Max Air aircraft could be safely removed.
The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau’s team, upon arrival in Yola, immediately began their work. They focused on assessing the damage to the aircraft and determining the cause of the tyre bursts. This investigation was crucial not only for resolving the current situation but also for preventing similar incidents in the future.
Local authorities provided support to the NSIB team and the stranded passengers. Buses were arranged to transport passengers to nearby accommodations, and those with urgent travel needs were given priority assistance.
This incident highlights the importance of rigorous safety protocols and timely responses to emergencies in aviation. While the disruption was significant, the swift actions of the NSIB and the cooperation of various stakeholders helped mitigate the impact on passengers and airport operations.
As the investigation continued, updates were expected to be released to the public. The priority was to ensure the safety of future flights and restore normal operations at Lamido Aliyu Mustapha International Airport as quickly as possible.
In conclusion, the Max Air incident at Yola airport serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges involved in maintaining safe and efficient air travel. The cooperation between different agencies and the dedication of the NSIB team played a crucial role in addressing the situation and working towards a resolution.
