A Max Air flight bound for Abuja faced a frightening incident on Sunday night when four of its tires burst during takeoff at Yola Airport. The Boeing 737, carrying 119 passengers and six crew members, experienced the blowouts in quick succession, leading to an emergency stop on the runway.
According to a statement by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Bimbo Oladeji, the incident occurred as flight NGL1649 was preparing to leave Yola for Abuja.
The initial blowout happened during the takeoff roll, creating a loud bang that startled those on board. The situation worsened when the remaining two rear gear tires also burst while the aircraft was being taxied off the runway, leaving it immobilized.
“Fortunately, no injuries were reported. A go-team, led by NSIB Director General Captain Alex Badeh Jr., will visit the incident site tomorrow morning to conduct an investigation,” Oladeji stated.
This isn’t the first time Max Air has faced scrutiny. In 2023, an NSIB report accused the airline of overwriting the Cockpit Voice Recorder following a serious incident at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The report also criticized the airline for ignoring directives from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority regarding the preservation of crucial flight data.
In the latest incident, witnesses reported seeing an object resembling a tire fall off the departing aircraft shortly after takeoff. Nigerian Air Force personnel stationed near the runway quickly notified the Yola Control Tower about the debris, which confirmed the seriousness of the situation.
The NSIB has launched a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the tire blowouts and to ensure such incidents are prevented in the future. Passengers and crew members are expected to be interviewed as part of the inquiry.
