Borno State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Usman Kadafur, and more than 100 passengers narrowly avoided a tragedy on Wednesday evening when a Max Air aircraft suffered an engine fire shortly after takeoff from Maiduguri International Airport.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m. as the aircraft, bound for Abuja, experienced engine failure caused by a bird strike approximately 10 minutes into the flight. Demonstrating remarkable skill, the pilot and crew managed to execute an emergency landing back at Maiduguri Airport, averting what could have been a disaster.
A Max Air staff member, who spoke under anonymity, confirmed the sequence of events early Thursday. The staff member explained, “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, panic ensued among passengers, many of whom chose to retrieve their luggage and return home instead of continuing their journey. Max Air management, however, promptly dispatched a replacement aircraft from Kano to transport the willing passengers, including Deputy Governor Kadafur, safely to Abuja.
The grounded aircraft remains at Maiduguri International Airport, undergoing repairs. Authorities have initiated investigations into the incident to determine the full extent of the bird strike’s impact on the engine.
Airport officials expressed gratitude to the Max Air crew for their professionalism and reassured the public of their dedication to passenger safety.
They stated, “We are committed to ensuring the safety of all travelers and commend the crew for their swift and skilled handling of the situation.”
