The management of Max Air has explained the reason its aircraft, VM1623 with registration number 5N-BBM en route Abuja, returned to Maiduguri airport 10 minutes after takeoff.
The Borno State Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur, and over 100 other passengers narrowly escaped a tragic incident which occurred around 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
The pilot and crew managed to execute an emergency landing back at Maiduguri airport, averting disaster.
A Max Air staff member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident on Thursday morning.
The staff member said, “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.”
Following the emergency landing, passengers were reportedly in a state of panic, with many opting to collect their luggage and return home rather than board another flight.
However, Max Air management promptly arranged another aircraft from Kano to transport passengers, including the deputy governor, safely to Abuja.
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