•NSIB commences investigations
From Uche Usim, Abuja
A major air disaster was averted on Sunday when the tyres of Max Air aircraft, carrying over 100 passengers from Yola, Adamawa State, burst into flames on landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Although no lives were lost, the scary development caused panic among the passengers onboard who went into frenzied prayers following the mishap. The troubled jetliner was received in Abuja by officials of the Aerodrome Rescue and Fire-fighting Service who swiftly put out the flames.
Already, officials of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) have commenced full investigations into immediate and remote cause(s) of the incident.
Spokesman of NSIB, Mr Tunji Oketunbi, who confirmed the development to Daily Sun, in a telephone conversation, assured that the reasons behind the incident will be unearthed so that other opeartors could learn some vital lessons that could forestall a reoccurrence.
He said: “Our officials are already on ground and have taken up the matter. The reasons for the incident will be determined and communicated to appropriate quarters accordingly. Unfortunately, I can’t give you all the details at this time”, he said.
Meanwhile, the former President of the Nigeria Medical Association, Dr Mike Ogirima, who gave an account of the incident reportedly said it occurred after takeoff at Yola Airport.
Ogirima said, “We thank God. We are still on the runway and the 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 a prayer session”.