A Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) official, speaking on condition of anonymity, had reported that arrangements were being made to transport four tyres from Abuja to Yola Airport.
The Yola International Airport in Adamawa State has been shut down temporally, as a Max Air aircraft remains stuck on its runway.
SaharaReporters had earlier (today) reported how the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau commenced investigations into the incident involving Max Air in Yola, Adamawa State.
The team led by NSIB Director General, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., would visit the incident site to conduct an investigation.
Tragedy was averted on Sunday evening after a Max Air’s flight NGL1649, a Boeing 737 with registration 5N-ADB, carrying 119 passengers and 6 crew members, cleared for takeoff from Yola Airport en route to Abuja lost some tyres before taking off.
Also on Sunday (yesterday), SaharaReporters reported that a passenger on a Max Air flight from Yola to Abuja reported that the aircraft’s tyres got damaged, which led to a delay in the flight.
The passenger recounted the ordeal to TG News, describing it as one of the most challenging experiences of their life, and expressed thanks for escaping unharmed.
A Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) official, speaking on condition of anonymity, had reported that arrangements were being made to transport four tyres from Abuja to Yola Airport.
The official said a plane would arrive from Yobe and transport the tyres to Yola that day for repair.
Thereafter, the emergency evacuation system was activated and all passengers were safely evacuated. No life was lost in the incident. However, the passengers were traumatized.
Consequently, the airport was temporarily shutdown to flight operations. An investigation by the Air Accident Bureau was ongoing.
As it stands, the airport remains closed because the aircraft is still stuck on the runway.
Passengers on the crashed plane and others had to take the painful alternative of going by road to Abuja and other parts of the country.
Efforts to get officials at the airport to comment yielded no fruit as all those contacted claimed they had no authority to speak to the press.