Late Sunday, a Boeing 737 en route to Abuja from Yola Airport experienced a serious issue during its takeoff roll. The aircraft, which was carrying 119 passengers and six crew members, suffered a burst of four tyres.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) reported that the plane had been cleared for takeoff when a loud noise was heard, indicating that the rear gear tyres had burst. According to NSIB spokesperson Mrs. Bimbo Okawumi Oladeji, in addition to the initial tyre bursts, two more tyres also exploded.
NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection provided the following details: “This evening, Max Air flight NGL1649, a Boeing 737 with registration 5N-ADB, was cleared for takeoff from Yola Airport, bound for Abuja. During the takeoff roll, the pilot heard a loud bang, which was later identified as the bursting of the rear gear tyres. Initially, two tyres burst, and while attempting to taxi off the runway, the remaining two tyres also burst, rendering the aircraft immobilized.”
Thankfully, no injuries were reported. A team led by NSIB Director General Captain Alex Badeh Jr. will visit the incident site tomorrow morning to investigate further.
(TheNation)