The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the domestic flight operations of Max Air, following a mishap at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano on Tuesday.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) gathers that the suspension is for a period of three (3) months, effective from midnight, 31st January, 2025, to allow for an internal appraisal of its operations.
Recall that officials of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport temporarily shut down the airport’s runway for inspection and clearance following a tyre burst incident involving a Max Air plane carrying 53 passengers.
NCAA disclosed that the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has initiated investigation into the occurrence and that it had commenced organizational risk profiles for each scheduled operator, including Max Air, which is nearing its conclusion.
“However, as a result of this incident, Max Air is suspending its domestic flight operations for a period of three months with effect from midnight, 31st January, 2025, to allow for an internal appraisal of its operations by its management. During this 3-month period, the NCAA will conduct a thorough safety and economic audit on Max Air.
“The safety audit will entail a re-inspection of Max Air’s organization, procedures, personnel and aircraft as specified by Part 1.3.3.3(b) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, while the economic audit will critically examine the financial health of the airline to guarantee its capability to sustain safe flight operations.
“The resumption of Max Air’s domestic flight operations will be predicated on the satisfactory completion of this audit,” NCAA said in a statement by Mr. Michael Achimugu, Director, Consumer Protection and Public Affairs.
TNG reports the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to have confirmed that there were no injuries to the passengers or the crew members on board and that the aircraft has been towed for investigation to determine the root cause of the incident.
FAAN disclosed that the Max Air Boeing 737, on Tuesday, suffered a nose wheel gear collapse while landing at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
FAAN’s Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs Obiageli Orah disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.
According to Orah, the aircraft with registration number 5N-MBD on Tuesday also experienced a rear tire burst while landing on Runway 06/24 at MAKIA.
“On board the aircraft were 53 passengers and 6 crew members. Fortunately, there were no injuries to the passengers or the crew members on board.
“Emergency services responded promptly, and the incident was managed according to the emergency response plan.
“The aircraft has been towed to Bay 5 for further investigation, which is ongoing by Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to determine the root cause of the incident,” she said.
Orah also said that the runway was opened on Wednesday at 8.00 a.m after cleaning and normal flight operations have resumed.
TNG reports the incident occured on Tuesday at 10.48 p.m.