Max Air Suffers 2 Burst Tyres, 5 Mechanical Faults Between 2023 and 2024

Between 2023 and 2024, Max Air Limited has faced several safety incidents, including two burst tyres and five mechanical faults involving its aircraft. Despite these incidents which have repeatedly risked lives and raised safety concerns, the airline remains in full operation.

On May 7, 2023, a Max Air Boeing 737-400 with tail number 5N-MBD suffered multiple burst tyres on while landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The aircraft, carrying 143 passengers and an infant from Yola, prompted the temporary closure of the airport as authorities removed the aircraft from the runway.

Another tyre-related incident occurred on July 21, 2024, when a Boeing 737 registered as 5N-ADB had its rear tyre burst while taxiing to takeoff at Yola Airport. The flight to Abuja, with 119 passengers and six crew members on board, was delayed, and passengers were evacuated after the aircraft was immobilised on the runway.

In addition to these tyre-related incidents, Max Air recorded five mechanical faults between 2023 and 2024.

On June 1, 2023, a Boeing 747 airlifting 554 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia was forced to land at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport shortly after taking off from Dutse Airport due to mechanical issues.

On July 7, 2023, a Boeing 737 with tail number 5N-MHM left Abuja for Yola with excessive water in its fuel tanks, endangering nearly 100 passengers.

On July 11, 2023, a Max Air flight aborted takeoff in Kano due to high Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) readings. The same day, another flight made an emergency return to Abuja after pilots detected overheating in the cockpit.

Following these incidents, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) grounded Max Air’s Boeing 737 fleet in 2023. Despite an audit revealing 48 major safety and maintenance violations, the airline was still allowed to resume operations, raising concerns about the effectiveness of regulatory oversight and enforcement in ensuring compliance with safety standards.

On January 7, 2024, Max Air suffered an “unexpected” aircraft maintenance issue which led to disruptions of its flight schedule for passengers.

The most recent incident occurred on December 5, 2024, when the engine of a Boeing 737-3H4 with tail number 5N-BBM caught fire 10 minutes after takeoff from Maiduguri Airport in Borno State. The aircraft, carrying over 70 passengers, including Borno State Deputy Governor Usman Kadafur, made an emergency landing.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority have yet to announce further actions regarding Max Air’s safety record.

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Joy Chukwu

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Mayowa Durosinmi

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M. Durosinmi is a West Africa Weekly investigative reporter covering Politics, Human Rights, Health, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel Region

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