Max Air Suspends Operations After Tyre Burst: Nigerian Authorities Launch Safety Audit
Max Air, a Nigerian domestic carrier, has suspended its flight operations following a recent incident involving one of its Boeing 737-400 aircraft at Mal. Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA). The incident, which involved a tyre burst upon landing, has prompted both the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to launch comprehensive investigations. The incident has also led to a temporary suspension of all flights.
The NCAA has directed Max Air to halt all domestic flight operations for a period of three months, effective January 31, 2025. This suspension is to facilitate an internal operational appraisal by the airline's management and to allow for a thorough safety and economic audit by the NCAA. According to Mr. Michael Achimugu, Director, Consumer Protection and Public Affairs at NCAA, the safety audit will reassess Max Air's organization, procedures, personnel, and aircraft. The economic audit is set to guarantee the airline's ability to maintain safe flight operations.
Mr. Achimugu confirmed that the resumption of Max Air's domestic flights will be contingent on satisfactory completion of these audits. The NCAA has also initiated an organizational risk profiling of all scheduled operators, including Max Air, which is nearing completion. The NCAA acknowledges the inconvenience this action may cause passengers, but emphasizes that the safety and well-being of passengers remains their utmost priority. The safety of the travelling public is paramount for both the airline and the regulatory bodies.
The NSIB is also actively investigating the tyre burst incident. The occurrence happened on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at approximately 10:48pm local time at Kano airport, as Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, NSIB, confirmed. The aircraft, arriving from Lagos with 53 passengers and six crew members, experienced a loud bang during deceleration, followed by the aircraft veering to the left. The flight crew regained control and brought the aircraft to a safe stop, with all passengers and crew disembarking safely. The investigation will look at all aspects, including any technical or procedural lapses.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) also confirmed that emergency services responded quickly and the incident was managed in accordance with the airport's emergency response plan. The aircraft has been towed to Bay 5 for further investigation by the NSIB. The runway was reopened at 08:00hrs the following day, after the cleanup. The affected aircraft, registration number 5N-MBD, had a tyre burst at 22:57pm while landing at Kano airport, following a flight from Lagos. The safe evacuation of all passengers and crew members is seen as a positive result, despite the potential for a far more serious incident. This situation will need to be closely monitored by all those within the African travel industry.
