Normalcy Returns at MAKIA After Max Air Tire Incident

Flight operations have resumed at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano following an incident involving the bursting of a front tire on a Max Air plane during its landing on Tuesday night.

Airport officials confirmed the resumption of operations on Wednesday, revealing that the affected aircraft was cleared from the runway by 4:00 am, and normal landing and departure activities recommenced by 8:00 am.

In a statement issued by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs. Obiageli Orah, it was clarified that the plane did not crash but experienced a tire burst.

The incident occurred on January 28, 2024, when a Max Air Boeing 737, registered 5N-MBD, suffered a nose wheel landing gear collapse and a rear tire burst upon landing on Runway 06/24 at MAKIA. There were 53 passengers and 6 crew members aboard the aircraft, but fortunately, no injuries were reported.

FAAN further noted that emergency services responded promptly to the situation, managing the incident according to established emergency response protocols. The aircraft was towed to Bay 5 for further investigation by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), which is working to determine the root cause of the incident.

The runway was reopened at 08:00 hrs after cleaning, and normal flight operations have since resumed.