Borno Dep Gov, over 100 passengers survive Max Air emergency landing

Borno State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Usman Kadafur, and more than 100 passengers narrowly avoided disaster on Wednesday evening when a Max Air flight from Maiduguri to Abuja suffered engine failure shortly after takeoff.

The incident, which occurred around 7 p.m., was caused by a bird strike about 10 minutes into the flight. The collision led to an engine fire, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing back at Maiduguri International Airport.

A Max Air staff member, speaking anonymously on Thursday morning, confirmed the sequence of events, saying, “Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft struck a bird mid-air, which caused one of the engines to catch fire. The pilot acted swiftly to ensure the safety of all passengers.”

The emergency landing left passengers shaken. Many decided to retrieve their luggage and abandon their travel plans, opting instead to return home. Despite the anxiety, Max Air promptly arranged for a replacement aircraft from Kano to fly the Deputy Governor and other willing passengers to Abuja later that night.

The damaged aircraft remains grounded at Maiduguri International Airport and is undergoing extensive repairs. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident to ensure such occurrences are minimized in the future.

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The airport management praised the flight crew for their professionalism, emphasizing their commitment to passenger safety. A statement assured travelers: “We remain dedicated to the highest safety standards and thank the crew for their quick thinking and courage in managing the situation.”

This incident underscores the challenges faced by the aviation sector and highlights the importance of continued vigilance in ensuring passenger safety.

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