July 22, (THEWILL) – The Director General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Captain Alex Badeh Jr., will on Monday, lead a go-team to visit the incident site of a Max Air aircraft that lost its tyres at Yola Airport on Sunday.
The aircraft conveying about 119 passengers and 6 crew members, on July 21, 2024, at approximately 1830hrs local time, while in transit from Yola to Abuja, lost its wheels during take-off roll.
Confirming the incident, the NSIB, in a statement issued on Sunday, by its Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, stated: “This evening, Max Air’s flight NGL1649, a Boeing 737 with registration 5N-ADB, carrying 119 passengers and 6 crew members, 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. 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.”
Considering the rapid manner the aircraft lost all its four tyres, some aviation stakeholders are of the opinion that both the airline and the runway be properly investigated.
Already, NSIB has started the investigation and the preliminary reports are expected to be out in a couple of months.
NSIB reports are based on investigations carried out by the Bureau in accordance with Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, Nigerian Civil Aviation Act 2006, and Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations.
In accordance with Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, it is not the purpose of aircraft accident/serious incident investigations to apportion blame or liability. It is, however, for the sole purpose of enhancing aviation safety.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
