The Nigeria Safety Investigation Board (NSIB) and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have expressed readiness to thoroughly investigate the cause of the Max Air aeroplane’s tyre burst.

The aircraft crashed on Sunday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.

The NCAA director-general, Musa Nuhu, said in a statement issued on Monday that the outcome of the investigation would help the agencies to make appropriate recommendations to prevent any recurrence of such incidents.

“A Max Air flight NGL1649, a B737 aircraft with registration 5N-MBD, departed Yola for Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, with 144 passengers and 6 flight crew on board. During landing at Abuja airport, the aircraft lost some tires, the flight crew brought the aircraft to a safe stop on Runway 22 at 2:57 p.m. local time,” the statement said.

It added, “All persons on board were evacuated safely, and the airport emergency services, including the rescue and fire fighting services response was excellent.”

The NCAA boss stressed that Abuja airport was shut down due to the disabled aircraft on the runway, as Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport is a single-runway airport.

Mr Nuhu stated that a notice to airmen (NOTAM) was issued by NAMA accordingly.

“All relevant agencies, including NCAA, FAAN, NAMA and NSIB, swung into action collaboratively to ensure the prompt removal of the disabled aircraft from the runway and reopening of the airport for flight operations,” noted Mr Nuhu. “Several flights, both domestic and international flights, were stranded at Abuja airport, while incoming flights diverted to other airports.”

He added, “The damaged wheels of the aircraft were replaced, and the aircraft taxied on its power from the runway to an assigned parking position.”

According to him, the runway was inspected and swept for damage and debris by officials of the NCAA, Federal Airports Authority (FAAN) and Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), after which the runway was declared safe.

He said, subsequently, the airport was reopened for resumption of flight operations after 8:00 p.m.

“It has come to the notice of the NCAA of sensational media reports of the incident, classifying it as a crash landing, thus creating panic and concerns amongst the travelling public,” Mr Nuhu explained. “The media are urged to seek clarifications and/or information to make accurate reports of any situation. The travelling public should rest assured that the NCAA and other aviation agencies will spare no effort to ensure the continued safe flight operations in Nigeria as has been the case over several years.” 

(NAN)