A Max Air Boeing 737 aircraft suffered a tyre burst upon landing at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) on Tuesday night, January 28, leading to a temporary runway closure and flight disruptions.
Flight VM1605 (registration 5N-MBD) had arrived from Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, at 10:57 PM when it experienced a nose landing gear tyre burst. Despite the incident, all 53 passengers and crew members were safely evacuated without injuries.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) immediately ordered a thorough runway inspection, delaying the reopening of the airport for operations. The aircraft was eventually removed and relocated to Taxiway B at 4:28 AM on Wednesday, January 29. However, further flight disruptions are expected as authorities complete additional safety checks.
In response to the incident, Max Air issued an apology to affected passengers, stating:
“We regret the inconvenience caused and are working closely with aviation authorities to ensure safety and operational efficiency.”
The airline also assured passengers that it would provide updates on flight schedules. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the incident.
This incident marks yet another safety-related event involving Max Air’s fleet. In May 2023, the same aircraft suffered multiple tyre bursts in Abuja, and in July 2024, another Max Air Boeing 737 experienced a similar issue during takeoff at Yola Airport.
Aviation experts have raised concerns over the airline’s recurring safety issues, prompting NCAA audits that previously identified maintenance and safety violations. Despite these warnings, the airline has continued operations.
Passengers are advised to check with airport authorities for further updates on flight schedules as the runway remains under inspection.
