NAIJA NEWS
A tragedy was averted on Sunday evening when the tyres of an Abuja-bound Max Airline aircraft burst while the plane was attempting to take off from the Yola Airport in Adamawa State .
Naija News reports the aircraft, which had 119 passengers and six crew members on board, lost six tyres during the aborted take-off.
According to the airline’s Director of Public and Consumer Protection, Bimbo Oladeji, the aircraft had been cleared for take-off, and during the take-off roll, a loud bang was heard, signalling the loss of two tyres.
However, while attempting to taxi off the runway, the other tyres also burst, totally disabling the aircraft.
Luckily, no injury was recorded owing to the accident and an investigation has commenced into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“This evening, Max Air’s flight NGL1649, a Boeing 737 with registration 5N-ADB, carrying 119 passengers and six crew members, was cleared for takeoff from Yola Airport en route to Abuja,” she said in a statement late Sunday.
“During the takeoff roll, a loud bang was heard, identified as the bursting of the rear gear tyres. Initially, two tyres burst. While attempting to taxi off the runway, the remaining two tyres also burst, rendering the aircraft completely disabled.
“Fortunately, no injuries were reported. A go-team, led by NSIB Director General Captain Alex Badeh Jr., will visit the incident site tomorrow morning to conduct an investigation,” Oladeji said.
