Borno State’s Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Usman Kadafur, along with over 100 passengers, narrowly avoided a serious incident when a Max Air plane encountered an engine fire shortly after departing from Maiduguri International Airport.
The event took place around 7 p.m. on Wednesday, as the aircraft was heading to Abuja and experienced engine failure due to a bird strike approximately 10 minutes into the flight. The pilot and crew successfully executed an emergency landing back at Maiduguri Airport, preventing a potential disaster.
A Max Air employee, who requested anonymity, confirmed the occurrence to africa24hrs on Thursday morning.
The employee stated, “Just after takeoff, the aircraft collided with a bird, leading to one of the engines igniting. The pilot responded quickly to ensure the safety of everyone on board.”
After the emergency landing, passengers were reportedly in a state of distress, with many choosing to retrieve their luggage and head home instead of boarding another flight. Nevertheless, Max Air management swiftly arranged for an alternative aircraft from Kano to safely transport the determined passengers, including the Deputy Governor, to Abuja.
The affected aircraft is currently grounded at Maiduguri International Airport for extensive repairs, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Airport authorities have assured passengers of their dedication to safety and expressed gratitude to the crew for their professionalism in handling the situation.
