Kano, Nigeria – The runway at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport was temporarily closed for inspection and clearance after a Max Air aircraft suffered a tyre burst while landing on Tuesday night, leading to flight disruptions.
The incident occurred at 10:57 p.m. and involved flight VM1605, a Max Air Boeing aircraft with registration number 5N-MBD.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed the event, stating that all 53 passengers and crew members onboard were safely evacuated without injuries.
Max Air, in a statement released on its X account early Wednesday morning, acknowledged the incident and informed passengers of the temporary runway closure.
“As a result, the Kano runway will remain temporarily closed for inspection and clearance, which may lead to delays in flight operations today, Wednesday, 29/01/2024. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience as we await further updates on the runway reopening,” the airline stated.
The airline emphasized that its crew handled the situation professionally, ensuring a safe evacuation.
By 4:28 a.m., the affected aircraft had been successfully removed from the runway and relocated to Taxiway B.
Max Air commended its engineering team for their swift response and assured passengers that updates on flight schedules would be provided as soon as possible.
The NCAA also released an official statement confirming the details of the incident. “The pilot, cabin crew, and all 53 passengers were safely disembarked with no injuries recorded. The aircraft has been removed from the runway to Taxiway B,” the aviation authority stated.
Following the incident, authorities initiated a thorough inspection of the runway before reopening it for operations.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has taken charge of the investigation to determine the cause of the tyre burst. Preliminary reports suggest the issue may have involved the aircraft’s nose landing gear tyre.
Flight operations at Kano Airport faced delays due to the closure, affecting both domestic and international travelers. Airlines and passengers were advised to monitor updates from aviation authorities regarding the reopening of the runway.
This is not the first time Max Air has encountered safety concerns related to landing gear issues. Aviation experts stress the importance of regular maintenance and thorough pre-flight inspections to ensure passenger safety.
As the NSIB investigation progresses, passengers and industry stakeholders await further details on the cause of the tyre burst and any potential safety recommendations that may emerge. In the meantime, authorities continue to prioritize safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
