A major air disaster was averted on Wednesday as the Kano-Abuja Max Air aircraft, which developed engine failure barely 10 minutes after takeoff from the Malam Aminu Kani International Airport, Makia successfully made an emergency landing.
Among the passengers in the aircraft, numer VM1645 was the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero and 139 other passengers.
The aircraft later took off around 2:00 pm with passengers filled to the brim.
It was gathered that 10 minutes after the take-off, the plane began to swerve around the air until it made a detour for an emergency landing.
Sources said an engine failure allegedly caused the incident, just as others attributed the incident to a bird strike.
Narrating the incident, one of the passengers, Dr Samaila Suleiman, said it was a near-death incident, accusing the airliner of negligence.
Sulaiman disclosed that he heard a strange sound when the aircraft took off but dismissed any strange feeling of insecurity.
He said: “I heard a strange sound during the take-off but brushed it aside. I have used aircraft many times but had never heard such a sound during take-off.
“The cabin crew members and the pilot were helpless because they lost control of the aircraft.
“Not even that radio announcement was made until we saw ourselves back at the airport where we took off.
“It was a near-death experience. Many other passengers and I were traumatised. Many of us cancelled our trip and returned home.” Max Air is yet to speak on the matter at the time of filing this report.
