No fewer than 53 air passengers and crew members on board Max Air narrowly escaped death as the local aircraft crash-landed at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, on Tuesday night.
The Boeing 737-4D7 Max Air with registration number 5N-MBD, B733 crash-landed at 9:15 p.m. after overshooting the runway and eventually losing its front tire.
The aircraft, which returned from Lagos via Abuja before the incident struck, left passengers crippled in panic, with an emergency exit used to calm the palpable fear.
When contacted, a senior staff member with Max Air who confirmed the incident told The Guardian that passengers and crew members were safely evacuated.
The staff member, who would not want his name in print, disclosed that a preliminary investigation report shows a tire burst; however, he noted that statutory regulators, including the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and the Aircraft and Equipment Department (AED), have been contacted for full details.
The officer expressed discomfort over the inconveniences passengers and crew members were forced to go through during the terrifying moment and assured management’s readiness to prioritize safety.
According to him, Max Air is always ready to subject its operations to standard procedures and regulations and would not compromise safety policy for any reason.
In December 2024, a Max Air aircraft, VM1623, with registration number 5N-BBM, had an emergency landing at Muhammadu Buhari International Airport in Maiduguri after an engine fire incident.
The near mishap occurred shortly after takeoff from the airport, leaving passengers in tense shock and fear. The VM1623 had about 80 passengers on board, including the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Usman Kadafur.
