The deputy governor of Borno State, Umar Kadafur has escaped a Max Air mishap alongside over 100 other passengers, Vanguard reports.
It’s was gathered that the passengers escaped a tragic incident after the aircraft developed an engine fire shortly after takeoff from the Maiduguri International Airport.
Sources who spoke about the mishap said it happened at about 7 pm on Wednesday with the aircraft enroute Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja.
They said the engine failure was caused by a bird strike barely 10 minutes into take off.
However, the pilot and crew members were said go have managed to execute an emergency landing back at Maiduguri Airport, averting disaster.
Confirming the incident, a Max Air Staff said, “Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft struck a bird mid-air, which caused one of the engines to catch fire. The pilot acted swiftly to ensure the safety of all passengers.”
The airline was said to have immediately provided another aircraft for passengers who were willing to continue on the journey while some others opted to retrieve their luggage and return home.