Nigerian airline Max Air confirmed that one of its aircraft, Flight VM1623 with registration 5N-BBM, was forced to return to Maiduguri International Airport shortly after takeoff due to an engine issue caused by a bird strike. The incident occurred on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, during a flight headed to Abuja.
The airline explained that the captain decided to turn back as a safety precaution when irregularities were detected in one of the engines approximately 10 minutes into the flight. According to reports, the aircraft carried over 100 passengers, including Borno State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Kadafur.
In an official statement released on Thursday, Max Air reassured the public that all passengers and crew members landed safely without injury. The statement highlighted that the affected engine was immediately shut down, following standard operational procedures, ensuring the safe return of the aircraft.
To address the inconvenience, Max Air dispatched a rescue aircraft to Maiduguri to transport passengers to their intended destination with minimal delay. The airline apologized for the disruption, emphasizing its dedication to passenger safety and comfort.
The statement reads: “Following Standard Operational Procedures, the affected engine was shut down as a precaution, allowing the aircraft to make a safe landing back at the airport.
“In a swift response to minimise disruptions, MaxAir dispatched a rescue aircraft to Maiduguri, ensuring that passengers reached their destinations with minimal delay.
“MaxAir is committed to the safety and comfort of our passengers. We are working closely with aviation authorities to investigate the cause of the engine abnormality and ensure such occurrences are mitigated in the future. As a leading airline in Nigeria, we remain committed to upholding the highest safety and operational standards, ensuring the trust and confidence of our valued passengers.”
