Max Air Plane Crash Lands in Kano

At the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on Tuesday, an aircraft belonging to the Nigerian airline Max Air was involved in an accident. The Max Air’s Airbus lost its nose landing gear upon touchdown, causing it to burst into flames before the plane skidded to a stop.

The aircraft marked 5N-MBD had 53 passengers onboard, and suffered the incident around 10.47pm.

Confirming the incident, the airline’s management, in a statement, said while the aircraft had been removed from the runway as of 04:28 am, the Kano runway would remain temporarily closed for inspection and clearance, which might lead to some delays in flight operations.

The statement reads:

“We wish to inform the public that one of our aircraft experienced an incident upon landing in Kano yesterday. Our crew handled the situation professionally, ensuring the safe evacuation of all passengers and crew members. As of 04:28, we removed the aircraft from the runway without any injuries.

According to the statement, the Kano airport will remain closed for further inspection as they try to investigate the cause of the mishap before activities on the runway return. Read an excerpt of the statement below:

“As a result, the Kano runway will remain temporarily closed for inspection and clearance, which may lead to some delays in flight operations today, Wednesday, 29/01/2025. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience as we await further updates on the runway reopening.”

According to reports, the emergency responders arrived at the scene quickly, and all passengers were safely evacuated. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.

Mallam Bello Ramalan, Max Air’s Kano Station Manager, confirmed that everyone onboard was safely evacuated.

He explained that the airline is collaborating with the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and the Aircraft and Equipment Department (AED) to determine the cause of the incident.

Nigeria has experienced numerous plane crashes throughout the years, leading to a substantial loss of lives and damage. Nigeria has experienced numerous plane crashes throughout the years, leading to a substantial loss of lives and damage.

One of the most notable crashes occurred in 2012 when a Dana Air flight crashed in Lagos, killing all 153 people on board and 10 on the ground. In 2021, a Nigerian military plane crashed on approach to Abuja airport, resulting in the deaths of all seven crew members.

These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the aviation industry in Nigeria, including issues related to aircraft maintenance, pilot training, and infrastructure. Beyond Nigeria, aeroplane crashes in Africa have been a significant concern, with several high-profile incidents over the years.