By Marvellous Nyang
A Max Air Boeing 737, with 119 passengers and six crew members onboard, was grounded at Yola Airport after experiencing a failure in all four rear tyres during takeoff.
The incident, which occurred shortly after the aircraft was cleared for departure, resulted in the plane being immobilised on the runway.
According to a statement from Bimbo Oladeji, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), provided to Punch, the malfunction was reported at 11:22 pm on Sunday.
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“Thankfully, no injuries were reported among those on board,” the statement ssid.
NSIB’s Director General, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., will lead an investigation into the tyre failure.
This incident follows a troubling 2023 report by the NSIB, which identified similar safety concerns with Max Air, including issues with data recording and compliance.
Punch further details that the aircraft’s landing gear was left extended for cooling due to high temperatures at Yola Airport.
Nigerian Air Force personnel observed an object resembling a tyre falling from the departing aircraft.
