What could have been a major disaster in the Nigerian aviation industry was averted on Sunday evening as a Max Air plane cleared to take off from the Yola Airport enroute Abuja with 119 passengers on board suddenly recorded tyre burst during taxiing.
According to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, the flight, NGL1649, a Boeing 737 with registration 5N-ADB, also had 6 crew members on board.
NSTIB, in a statement by its Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji said a loud bang was heard during the takeoff roll which was discovered as the bursting of the rear gear tyres of the aircraft.
“Initially, two tyres burst. While attempting to taxi off the runway, the remaining two tyres also burst, rendering the aircraft completely disabled”, the agency said.
No injuries were reported from the incident according to NSIB which has also promised to launch an investigation.
“A go-team, led by NSIB Director General Captain Alex Badeh Jr., will visit the incident site tomorrow morning to conduct an investigation”, it said.
