Yola, Nigeria – A Max Air Boeing 737 carrying 119 passengers and six crew members was grounded at Yola Airport on Sunday night after all four of its rear gear tyres burst during takeoff. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The aircraft, designated flight NGL1649 with registration 5N-ADB, was cleared for takeoff to Abuja when a loud bang was heard, indicating the failure of the rear gear tyres. Despite the initial burst, the pilot attempted to taxi off the runway, resulting in the remaining two tyres bursting and leaving the aircraft completely disabled.
Bimbo Oladeji, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), confirmed the details in a statement released at 11:22 pm. Oladeji stated, “This evening, Max Air’s flight NGL1649 was cleared for takeoff from Yola Airport en route to Abuja. During the takeoff roll, a loud bang was heard, identified as the bursting of the rear gear tyres. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.”
An NSIB go-team led by Director General Captain Alex Badeh Jr. is set to visit the site on Monday morning for a thorough investigation.
History of Safety Concerns
This incident follows previous safety concerns involving Max Air. In 2023, the NSIB issued a report indicting the airline for overwriting the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) after a serious incident on May 7, 2023, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The report accused Max Air of violating regulations by continuously overwriting CVR data, crucial for investigating flight incidents.
The 2023 report also detailed an incident where another Max Air aircraft, flight NGL1648, experienced landing gear issues during takeoff from Abuja to Yola. The gear was left extended for three minutes post-takeoff due to high ground temperatures at Yola Airport. During this time, Nigerian Air Force personnel reported seeing an object resembling a tyre fall from the departing aircraft.
