Nigerian carrier, Max Air, has confirmed that its Flight VM1623, with registration number 5N-BBM, returned to Maiduguri International Airport on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, following an engine abnormality detected during takeoff.
The aircraft, which was en route to Abuja, reportedly suffered an engine failure caused by a bird strike about 10 minutes into the flight. Among the over 100 passengers on board was the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Umar Kadafur.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the airline explained that the captain noticed irregular engine parameters shortly after takeoff and promptly initiated an air return as a precautionary measure.
Max Air apologized for the inconvenience caused by the incident and thanked the affected passengers for their patience and understanding.
The statement reads, “Following Standard Operational Procedures, the affected engine was shut down as a precaution, allowing the aircraft to make a safe landing back at the airport.
“In a swift response to minimise disruptions, MaxAir dispatched a rescue aircraft to Maiduguri, ensuring that passengers reached their destinations with minimal delay.
“MaxAir is committed to the safety and comfort of our passengers. We are working closely with aviation authorities to investigate the cause of the engine abnormality and ensure such occurrences are mitigated in the future. As a leading airline in Nigeria, we remain committed to upholding the highest safety and operational standards, ensuring the trust and confidence of our valued passengers.”