JUST IN: 119 passengers, crew escape death as aircraft’s 6 tyres burst while attempting to take off

The airline’s Director of Public and Consumer Protection Bimbo Oladeji said the aircraft was carrying 119 passengers and six crew members.

“This evening, Max Air’s flight NGL1649, a Boeing 737 with registration 5N-ADB, carrying 119 passengers and six crew members, was cleared for takeoff from Yola Airport en route to Abuja,” she said in a statement late yesterday.

“During the takeoff roll, a loud bang was heard, identified as the bursting of the rear gear tyres. Initially, two tyres burst. While attempting to taxi off the runway, the remaining two tyres also burst, rendering the aircraft completely disabled.”

But no person was injured owing to the incident, she said.

•Engineers working on the affected tyres

“Fortunately, no injuries were reported. A go-team, led by NSIB Director General Captain Alex Badeh Jr., will visit the incident site tomorrow morning to conduct an investigation,” Oladeji said.