Following the serious incident suffered by a Yola to Abuja bound Max Air aircraft last weekend, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has temporarily closed the airport’s runway.
The aircraft, a Boeing 737 with registration number 5N AD, carried 199 passengers and six crew members when the incident happened at about 8 pm Sunday.
Director of Public and Passenger Protection, Max Air, Bimbo Oladimeji, who spoke to newsmen, stated that, at take-off, a loud bang was heard after the aircraft had been certified fit to fly.
“While the aircraft was attempting to taxi off the tarmac, two other tyres got burst again and it had to be abandoned on the runway. No passenger and crew members on board the aircraft were injured as they were all evacuated.”
Oladimeji, however, said a go team led by the Director of Nigeria Safety and Investigation Bureau, Captain Alex Bade Jr, had visited the disabled aircraft Monday.
Meanwhile, the Assistant General Manager, of Corporate Communications of FAAN, Mrs Ijeoma Nwosu, said the aircraft would be removed from the runway after NSIB had concluded the investigation and activities would return.
