An Abuja-bound Max Air flight made an emergency landing at Maiduguri’s Muhammadu Buhari International Airport on Wednesday after one of its engines caught fire just 10 minutes after takeoff.
The incident, caused by a suspected bird strike, left 100 passengers, including Umar Usman Kadafur, the Deputy Governor of Borno State, shaken but unharmed. According to reports from Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the bird strike severely damaged one of the aircraft’s engines.
The pilot acted quickly and successfully returned the plane to the airport without any injuries reported. “Bird strikes are a known risk in aviation, especially during the takeoff and landing phases,” explained Zagazola Makama. He urged airlines to conduct regular wildlife hazard assessments and implement bird control measures around airports to reduce the risk of such incidents.
An unnamed airline official confirmed that engineers from Kano have been deployed to assess and repair the damaged aircraft. Another Max Air plane has been dispatched from Lagos to transport the passengers to Abuja, ensuring minimal disruption to their travel plans.
Musa Bawuro, the Max Air Manager in Maiduguri, acknowledged the incident but refrained from further comment, stating that he was awaiting a detailed report from the flight’s captain.
The swift response by the pilot and airport authorities was praised, as it ensured the safety of all passengers and crew on board.
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