Tyre blowout hits Abuja-bound flight with 119 onboard

A Max Air commercial flight departing from Yola Airport experienced a harrowing incident during takeoff when its rear landing gear failed completely.

The flight, carrying 113 passengers and 6 crew members, was forced to make an emergency stop on the runway.

A source has confirmed that all 119 individuals onboard the Max Air flight were successfully evacuated to safety following the rear landing gear failure during takeoff from Yola Airport. The disabled aircraft remains stranded on the runway, which has been closed temporarily due to the incident.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed the incident in a statement by Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection.

The statement detailed that during the takeoff roll, a loud bang was heard, identified as the bursting of the rear gear tyres. Initially, two tyres burst, followed by the remaining two as the aircraft attempted to taxi off the runway.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Captain Alex Badeh Jr., Director General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), will head a team of investigators to the incident site these morning to conduct a thorough investigation.