A Max Air flight with registration number 5N-MBD, B733 crash-landed on Tuesday night at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) following a burst front tire.
The aircraft, which was arriving from Lagos, carried 53 passengers and six crew members when the incident occurred at around 10:19 p.m.
One of the passengers, Aliyu Inuwa Mansir revealed “The front tire burst into flames upon landing, filling the cabin with smoke. We had to evacuate quickly through the emergency exit. Firefighters were already dousing the flames as we got out,” Mansir recounted.
Malam Bello Ramalan, Max Air’s Kano Station Manager, confirmed that everyone onboard was safely evacuated.
He explained that the airline is collaborating with the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and the Aircraft and Equipment Department (AED) to determine the cause of the incident.
He added that Max Air staff followed standard emergency protocols, including the isolation of the pilots and immediate coordination with relevant investigation authorities.
“We are working with the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and the Aircraft and Equipment Department (AED) to investigate the cause of the incident. Preliminary findings suggest a tire malfunction led to the mishap,” he said.
Meanwhile, Max Air has pledged to assist passengers in retrieving their luggage as investigations continue.