A Max Air flight bound for Abuja made an emergency landing back at the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport, Maiduguri, on Wednesday, following a suspected bird strike that damaged one of its engines.
Over 100 passengers, including Borno State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Usman Kadafur, escaped what could have been a tragic incident.
According to reports, the incident occurred just 10 minutes after the aircraft took off. The flight crew swiftly handled the situation, ensuring the plane landed safely.
An airline official, speaking anonymously, disclosed that another aircraft was deployed from Lagos to transport the stranded passengers to Abuja.
"About 10 minutes after takeoff, the aircraft hit a bird in the sky, causing severe damage to one of the engines. Engineers from Kano are currently working on the damaged plane," the official said.
When contacted, Max Air's Maiduguri Manager, Mr. Musa Bawuro, acknowledged awareness of the situation but refrained from commenting until further details were confirmed. "Please give me time to find out from the captain," he stated.
The quick actions of the crew and airport authorities averted a potential disaster, leaving passengers and observers relieved but shaken.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the damage and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
This incident highlights the critical need for measures to mitigate bird strikes, a growing concern in the aviation industry.