It was a terrifying Wednesday evening for over 100 passengers aboard a Max Air flight. Just minutes after takeoff from Maiduguri International Airport, a bird strike tragedy was averted, after an engine fire sent the aircraft into a dangerous spiral.
The flight, bound for Abuja, was only about 10 minutes into its journey when the disaster struck. Yet, thanks to the quick actions of the pilot and crew, the plane returned to the Maiduguri Airport, safely.
“Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft struck a bird mid-air, which caused one of the engines to catch fire. The pilot acted swiftly to ensure the safety of all passengers,” a witness told Vanguard
The incident happened around 7 p.m, a witness said. Passengers, including Borno State Deputy Governor Alhaji Umar Usman Kadafur, were visibly shaken but unharmed. After the tense landing, many passengers reportedly left the airport, refusing to board another flight that night.
Reports said Max Air quickly acted to ensure passengers’ safety. The airline arranged for another aircraft to fly in from Kano for onward journey to Abuja. Many passengers, still rattled by the scare, decided to take the next flight. But some chose to stay behind.
Growing concern about bird strike tragedy
While the aircraft remains grounded for repairs, investigators have started work on how to prevent future occurrences. That incident was not isolated. In recent months, there have been other close calls involving bird strikes and mechanical failures.
Earlier this year, a similar bird strike occurred on another flight, where the crew also managed a safe return to the airport. In that case, passengers reported a jolt, followed by a loud noise as the engine failed. Thanks to swift actions from the pilot, that incident also ended without casualties.
Aviation experts point out that bird strikes are a significant but often underestimated risk. Although bird strikes are common, they don’t always result in serious incidents. However, when they do cause engine fires, the consequences can be catastrophic. Safety experts stress that improving airport wildlife management and aircraft maintenance are key to preventing these types of accidents.
They commended the pilot and the crew for averting disaster. “This is an example of excellent training under pressure,” said an aviation safety expert. “The crew’s quick thinking and ability to manage the situation is what made the difference between life and death.”
One frequent flyer, who had experienced a bird strike on a different flight years ago, said, “It was terrifying. I knew exactly what was happening when I heard the engine sputter. I’m just thankful the crew kept us calm.”
Another passenger echoed the importance of pilot training. “You never really know how you’ll react in that situation, but the crew was amazing. They kept us calm, and we trusted them completely.”
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