Max Air has broken its silence after the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Umar Usman Kadafur, and over 100 other passengers narrowly escaped a tragic incident when its plane made an emergency landing due to engine failure.
The aircraft, Flight VM1623, which was en route to Abuja on Wednesday evening, was forced to return to the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport in Maiduguri shortly after takeoff.
The incident, reportedly caused by a suspected bird strike, occurred just 10 minutes into the flight.
In a statement released on Thursday, Max Air confirmed the emergency landing, attributing it to an engine abnormality detected during the plane’s ascent.
“Flight VM1623 with registration number 5N BBM made an air return due to an observed abnormality in the engine parameters during ascent, prompting the captain to initiate an air return to Maiduguri International Airport. Following Standard Operational Procedures, the affected engine was shut down, and the aircraft landed safely. All passengers and crew members remained unharmed,” the statement read.
Max Air added that a rescue aircraft was dispatched to Maiduguri to ensure passengers reached their destinations with minimal delay.
“In line with Max Air’s commitment to passenger safety and comfort, we deeply regret any inconvenience caused and sincerely appreciate the patience and cooperation of all affected passengers.”
The airline also announced that it was collaborating with aviation authorities to investigate the root cause of the engine failure.
“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,” the management stated.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns about aviation safety in Nigeria, with industry stakeholders calling for more stringent measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
