The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, moved swiftly, Sunday, to unravel the cause of what would have been another tragedy in Nigeria’s aviation industry when a Max Air plane crash-landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja, with one of its tyres bursting into flame.
The Max Air aircraft had originated from Yola, Adamawa State, with 103 passengers on board.
However, what would have been a disaster was averted by super alert emergency officials of the Aerodrome Rescue and Fire-fighting Service (ARFFS) operating at the airport who moved in swiftly to put off the fire while the lucky but frightened passengers were disembarked safely on the runway.
Spokesperson of the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Tunji Oketunbi, disclosed, shortly after the incident, that their officials had gone to the site of the incident to commence investigation.
Oketunbi thanked God for the safety of all the passengers and crew members. He also informed that the airline would officially inform the appropriate authorities about the incident for appropriate action.
Among the 143 passengers on board the aircraft was a former president of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Dr. Mike Ogirima, who gave an account of the incident, saying the tyre burst occurred after take-off at Yola Airport.
ThisDay on Sunday quoted Ogirima as saying: “We thank God. We are still on the runway and pilot has reassured us. He has called for the stairs and we are now disembarking from the runway to be evacuated to the airport building at the arrival hall.
“We bless God because we have witnessed the pullout of the tyre right from the airport in Yola and we went into prayer session. I never announced it as a surgeon so as not to cause any panic but we bless God.”