Max Air Explains Why Aircraft Returned to Maiduguri Airport

Max Air has explained the reason behind the return of its aircraft, VM1623 (registration number 5N-BBM), to Maiduguri airport, just 10 minutes after takeoff. The flight, en route to Abuja, was carrying Borno State Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur, and over 100 other passengers when the incident occurred around 7 p.m. on Wednesday.

According to an anonymous Max Air staff member, the aircraft struck a bird shortly after takeoff, which led to one of the engines catching fire. The pilot and crew acted quickly, executing an emergency landing back at Maiduguri airport and preventing a potential disaster.

Following the emergency landing, passengers were reportedly shaken and many chose to retrieve their luggage and return home instead of continuing their journey. However, Max Air quickly arranged for another aircraft to fly in from Kano to safely transport the passengers, including the deputy governor, to Abuja.

In a statement released on Friday, Max Air confirmed the air return of Flight VM1623 was due to an engine abnormality detected shortly after takeoff. The airline assured the public that all passengers and crew were unharmed. The statement further explained that the captain followed standard operational procedures by shutting down the affected engine as a precaution, allowing for a safe return to Maiduguri airport.

Max Air took swift action to minimize disruption, dispatching a rescue aircraft to ensure that passengers reached their destination with minimal delay. The airline reiterated its commitment to the safety and comfort of its passengers and assured that it was working with aviation authorities to investigate the cause of the engine issue to prevent future occurrences.

Max Air, a leading airline in Nigeria, emphasized its dedication to maintaining high safety and operational standards, to preserve the trust and confidence of its passengers.