The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has confirmed that a Max Air flight that airlifted 560 pilgrims from Saudi Arabia to Minna, Niger State, declared emergency after engine malfunction and made hard landing, which damaged the runway of the Minna International Airport early Saturday.
The Boeing B747 aircraft with registration number 5N-DBK was said to have developed fault in one of its four engines on final approach to the airport and the pilot in command contacted the control tower and demanded emergency landing.
Every passenger and crew was safely evacuated without any injuries.
The serious incident was also confirmed by the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), which had already sent inspectors to Minna to inspect the aircraft.
In a statement signed by its spokesman, Tunji Oketunmbi, AIB said, “The Accident Investigation Bureau, Nigeria has been notified on the 7th September, 2019 by Max Air Limited of a serious incident involving its Boeing B747-400 aircraft with nationality and registration marks 5N-DBK, which occurred during the final approach on the runway 23 at Minna International Airport, Niger state.
“The aircraft took off from King Abdul Aziz International Airport, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with 560 passengers and 19 crewmembers on board.
“From the information provided, the aircraft on landing screeped the runway while the number one engine brushed the runway surface and no injury was reported. Our team of safety investigators has commenced investigation.”
Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Hajia Hassana Isah when contacted confirmed the incident and explained that there was a technical fault.
“It was a technical fault, though we are yet to be adequately briefed by the experts on what happened but the place landed successfully”, he said.
Isah however said the development would not affect the return journey of the over 2, 000 pilgrims still waiting to be airlifted back home from Saudi Arabia as she assured that all the pilgrims would be successfully brought back.
As at press time, the airline’s management was yet to speak on the major incident.
THISDAY
