The Federal Government has decided to suspend the domestic flight operations of Max Air after one of its aircraft experienced a tyre burst at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on Tuesday night. The incident occurred during the landing of a Boeing 737-400 aircraft, registered as 5N-MBD, at approximately 10:51 p.m.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on behalf of the government, issued a statement confirming the suspension. It also noted that the NCAA would be conducting an assessment of the airline’s operations in collaboration with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), which has already launched an official investigation into the tyre failure incident.
In its statement, the NCAA provided additional context, revealing that it had already begun reviewing the risk profiles of all scheduled operators, including Max Air, and this process is nearing completion. The statement further explained that the exact cause of the tyre burst could only be determined after the NSIB completes its investigation.
The affected aircraft, a Boeing 737-400, was carrying 53 passengers at the time of the incident. Fortunately, no passengers or crew members were harmed, as the evacuation was carried out smoothly after the tyre failure. The aircraft has since been temporarily grounded as part of the ongoing probe and safety checks.
The NSIB, which is responsible for investigating aviation incidents in Nigeria, will examine the incident closely to determine the exact cause of the tyre failure and assess the airline’s safety practices. The NCAA, as the regulatory body for aviation in Nigeria, has also pledged to take further action based on the results of the investigation.
