Tyre Burst Forces Temporary Closure of Yola Airport as Max Airline Plane Blocks Runway
From Umar Dankano, Yola
The Yola International airport has been rendered unofficially temporary close due to blockage of its runaway by a disabled Max airline which had tyres burst.
Reports revealed that the Max Air’s flight NGL 1649, Boeing 737 with registration 5N-ABD carrying 119 passengers with 6 crew members cleared to take off from Yola airport enroute Abuja had it’s rear tyres burst on Sunday evening around 7:15 pm.
Investigation by this reporter has revealed that even the investigators sent by the FAAN from Abuja Monday had to fly to neighbouring Gombe state airport then proceeded to Yola by road as a result of the closure of Yola airport by the disabled Max airline parked right on the runway.
A passenger who pleaded for anonymity confirmed to this reporter in Yola Monday that as the airline was speeding for take off, a loud bang (sound) was heard which insistently disabled the aircraft from movement.
He added that fortunately all the 119 passengers were evacuated to safety immediately noting that no one was injured in the incident.
He vowed not to patronize Max airline ever again lamenting that similar case occurred last year when the tyres of one of aircraft he boarded from Abuja to Yola got hooked with in the aircraft forcing it to skipped up again.
However, the Airline’s Director of public and Customer protection, Bimbo Oladeji had earlier told the media that the mere accident was averted in the faulty aircraft conveying 119 passengers and six crew members.
Oladeji explained that already A go – team led by the Director NSIB , Captain Alex Badeh Jr. has visited the scene of the incident in Yola yesterday (Monday) for necessary action.
Corroborating in a mobile phone interview, the Assistant General Manager, Cooperate Communications, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria,FAAN.Mrs Ijeoma Nwosu Igbo said the aircraft will be removed soonest.
Mrs lgbo said that in situations of this nature,the NSIB team must finish their investigation before an airline will be given clearance to effect repairs.
She further revealed that the investigation has been concluded and the Max airline has brought new tyres to be fixed.
