Flights were delayed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Sunday after a Max Air aircraft reportedly conveying passengers from Adamawa State crash-landed causing panic.
The tyre of the plane also burst into flames, according to the Daily Trust.
The incident was also confirmed by Sam Hart, a former aide to the Governor of Abia state, Okezie Ikpeazu.
Hart tweeted: “Airline (name withheld) had an emergency landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Everyone is fine.
“Flights out of Abuja airport delayed for hours as arrangements are being made to evacuate the aircraft from the tarmac. Good afternoon.”
The Aerodrome Rescue and Fire-fighting Service operators at the airport were swiftly deployed to the scene to put off the fire.
Former President of the Nigeria Medical Association, Dr Mike Ogirima, who gave an account of the incident to Daily Trust, was quoted as saying that the tyre burst occurred after takeoff at Yola Airport.
However, the aircraft crash-landed in Abuja with emergency officials already on the ground to put off the fire before the passengers disembarked right at the runway.
Ogirima said, “We thank God. We are still on the runway and the pilot has reassured us. He has called for the stairs and we are now disembarking from the runway to be evacuated to the airport building at the arrival hall.
“We bless God because we have witnessed the pull out of the tyre right from the airport in Yola and we went into a prayer session.
“I never announced it as a surgeon so as not to cause any panic but we bless God,” he added.
Details later…
