A Max Air aircraft has crash-landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Sunday after the tyre reportedly burst into flames.
Unconfirmed report said the aircraft had arrived from Yola, Adamawa State when the incident happened.
Former president of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Mike Ogirima, who gave an account of the incident said the tyre burst occurred after takeoff at Yola Airport.
However, the aircraft crash-landed in Abuja with emergency officials already on ground to put off the fire before the passengers were disembarked right at the runway.
According to him, “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 pull out 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.”
The passengers were safely disembarked from the runway while the runway has been temporarily shut until the evacuation of the aircraft.
The Aerodrome Rescue and Fire-fighting Service (ARFFS) operates at the airport were swiftly mobilised to put off the fire.
Also, the spokesperson Tunji Oketunbi, general manager, Public Affairs, Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) said their staff have gone to the site of the incident for investigation.
An official of the airline who confirmed the incident but pleaded anonymity,said the passengers safely disembarked.
He expressed gratitude to God for the safety of all the passengers and crew members.
He said the airline would official inform the appropriate authorities to carry out an investigation into the incident.
