The deputy governor of Borno State, Umar Kadafur, and over 100 passengers narrowly escaped a tragic incident on a Max Air flight after the aircraft suffered an engine fire shortly after takeoff from Maiduguri International Airport.
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The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on Wednesday as the aircraft, en route to Abuja, encountered engine failure caused by a bird strike barely 10 minutes into the flight.
A source familiar with the incident said, “The mishap happened when the engine was struck by a bird, leading to a fire.”
The pilot and crew managed to execute an emergency landing back at Maiduguri Airport, averting a potential disaster.
Confirming the incident, a Max Air staff member stated, “Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft struck a bird mid-air, which caused one of the engines to catch fire. The pilot acted swiftly to ensure the safety of all passengers.”
Following the emergency landing, Max Air promptly arranged another aircraft for passengers willing to continue their journey, while some opted to collect their luggage and return home.
