A Max Air commercial flight with 113 passengers and 6 crew members onboard experienced a total failure of its rear landing gear during takeoff from Yola Airport.
The Boeing 737-300, tail identifier 5N-ADB, was set to fly to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, when all its rear tyres burst on the runway.
According to a source, all 119 people onboard were safely evacuated, leaving the disabled aircraft on the runway. The incident has temporarily rendered the runway unusable.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed the incident in a statement by Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection.
The statement detailed that during the takeoff roll, a loud bang was heard, identified as the bursting of the rear gear tyres. Initially, two tyres burst, followed by the remaining two as the aircraft attempted to taxi off the runway.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
NSIB Director General Captain Alex Badeh Jr. will lead a go-team to the incident site tomorrow morning to conduct an investigation.
