There was a mild panic at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Sunday, May 7, 2023, when a Max Air aircraft crash-landed after the tyre reportedly burst into flames.
The aircraft had arrived from Yola, Adamawa State when the incident happened.
The Aerodrome Rescue and Fire-fighting Service (ARFFS) operatives at the airport were swiftly mobilised to put off the fire.
An official of the Airline told reporters that there were no casualties as all 144 Passengers and 6 Crew members on Board were safely evacuated.
Former President of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Mike Ogirima, who gave an account of the incident, said the tyre burst occurred after takeoff at Yola Airport.
However, the aircraft crash-landed in Abuja with emergency officials already on ground to put off the fire before the passengers were disembarked right at the runway.
Ogirima said, “We thank God. We are still on the runway and pilot has reassured us. He has called for the stairs and we are now disembarking from the runway to be evacuated to the airport building at the arrival hall.
“We bless God because we have witnessed the pull out of the tyre right from the airport in Yola and we went into prayer session. I never announced it as a surgeon so as not to cause any panic but we bless God.”
The passengers were safely disembarked from the runway while the runway has been temporarily shut until the evacuation of the aircraft.
